Both "prefer" and "would rather" are used to express preferences, but their usage differs in structure in English Grammar.
1. "Prefer"
Can be followed by:
A noun/pronoun:
Example: I prefer coffee.
A gerund (verb + ing):
Example: She prefers reading to watching TV.
An infinitive (to + verb):
Example: He prefers to stay at home.
Comparisons using "prefer"
Structure:
prefer + noun + to + noun
Example: I prefer tea to coffee.
prefer + verb-ing + to + verb-ing
Example: She prefers walking to driving.
2. "Would Rather"
Used to express a stronger preference for one action over another.
Followed by a bare infinitive (without "to"):
Example: I would rather walk than take the bus.
Comparisons using "would rather"
Structure:
would rather + base verb + than + base verb
Example: He would rather sleep than study.
Talking about preferences for others
Structure:
would rather + subject + past verb (subjunctive mood)
Example: I’d rather you came early.
Examples
10 Sentences with "Prefer"
I prefer tea to coffee.
She prefers reading to watching TV.
He prefers staying indoors on rainy days.
They prefer to study in the library.
I prefer listening to music rather than watching movies.
She prefers classical music to pop songs.
He prefers to travel by train rather than fly.
We prefer walking to driving.
My parents prefer home-cooked food to fast food.
She prefers talking on the phone rather than texting.
10 Sentences with "Would Rather"
I would rather stay at home than go to the party.
She would rather walk than take a taxi.
He would rather drink tea than coffee.
They would rather play outside than stay indoors.
I would rather finish my homework now than do it later.
She would rather you told the truth.
He would rather sleep early tonight.
We would rather leave now than wait longer.
My teacher would rather we submitted the assignment before Friday.
She would rather not go to the cinema today.
A scenic train travels across a historic viaduct, embodying the charm and allure of rail journeys over air travel.
Exercise (15 Questions)
Fill in the blanks with "prefer" or "would rather" in the correct form.
I ______ tea to coffee.
She ______ reading books to watching TV.
He ______ take the train than fly.
They ______ to stay in a hotel rather than camp.
I ______ you called me later.
We ______ staying at home to going out.
My father ______ drive than take the bus.
She ______ playing football to basketball.
He ______ you didn’t smoke in his house.
I ______ go to the beach than the mountains.
My grandparents ______ traditional music to modern music.
He ______ you spoke more politely.
We ______ to have lunch early rather than late.
She ______ cooking at home rather than eating out.
I ______ watch a movie tonight.
Peaceful escape to a tropical paradise: choosing the serene beach over mountainous adventures.
Here are the correct answers:
I prefer tea to coffee.
She prefers reading books to watching TV.
He would rather take the train than fly.
They prefer to stay in a hotel rather than camp.
I would rather you called me later.
We prefer staying at home to going out.
My father would rather drive than take the bus.
She prefers playing football to basketball.
He would rather you didn’t smoke in his house.
I would rather go to the beach than the mountains.
My grandparents prefer traditional music to modern music.
He would rather you spoke more politely.
We prefer to have lunch early rather than late.
She prefers cooking at home rather than eating out.
I would rather watch a movie tonight.
Here’s a set of objective questions (multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank) based on the topic of "prefer" and "would rather":
Exercise: Prefer and Would Rather
Part 1: Multiple Choice Questions
Choose the correct option to complete the sentences.
I prefer tea ______ coffee.
a) than
b) to
c) rather
d) for
Answer: b) to
She would rather ______ home tonight.
a) stay
b) to stay
c) staying
d) stays
Answer: a) stay
Which sentence is correct?
a) I would rather to go to the park.
b) I prefer to go to the park.
c) I prefer going to the park than staying home.
d) I would rather going to the park.
Answer: b) I prefer to go to the park.
He prefers ______ rather than ______.
a) to read / watch TV
b) reading / to watch TV
c) read / watching TV
d) to read / watching TV
Answer: a) to read / watch TV
I would rather you ______ late.
a) don’t be
b) not to be
c) weren’t
d) aren’t
Answer: c) weren’t
Part 2: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of "prefer" or "would rather".
I ______ (prefer) tea to coffee.
Answer: prefer
She ______ (would rather) stay home than go out.
Answer: would rather
They ______ (prefer) playing soccer rather than watching it.
Answer: prefer
We ______ (would rather) you didn’t tell anyone about this.
Answer: would rather
He ______ (prefer) to travel by train rather than by bus.
Answer: prefers
Two players race across the soccer field, embodying the vibrant energy and competitive spirit of the game.
Part 3: Correct the Mistakes
Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.
I would rather to stay home tonight.
Answer: I would rather stay home tonight.
She prefers reading than watching TV.
Answer: She prefers reading to watching TV.
They would rather you to come early.
Answer: They would rather you came early.
I prefer to swim than to run.
Answer: I prefer swimming to running. OR I prefer to swim rather than run.
He would rather staying home.
Answer: He would rather stay home.
Ripe apples basking under the sun, capturing the essence of a preferred taste.
Part 4: Rewrite the Sentences
Rewrite the following sentences using "prefer" or "would rather".
I like apples more than oranges.
Answer: I prefer apples to oranges.
She wants to stay home instead of going out.
Answer: She would rather stay home than go out.
They like playing video games more than studying.
Answer: They prefer playing video games to studying.
I want you to call me instead of texting.
Answer: I would rather you called me than texted me.
He likes to walk rather than drive.
Answer: He prefers walking to driving.
This exercise covers a variety of question types to test understanding of "prefer" and "would rather".
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