Unit 59. Prefer and would rather.

Unit 59; Part A

Prefer to do and prefer doing
You can use 'prefer to (do)' or 'prefer -ing' to say what you prefer in general:
• I don't like cities. I prefer to live in the country. or I prefer living in the country.

Study the differences in structure after prefer. We say:

but

I prefer
I prefer
I prefer

something
doing something
to do something

to something else.|
to doing something else.
rather than (do) something else.

•       I prefer this coat to the coat you were wearing yesterday.
•       I prefer driving to travelling by train.
but• I prefer to drive rather than travel by train.
•    Sarah prefers to live in the country rather than (live) in a city.

Unit 59; Part B

Would prefer (I'd prefer ...)
We use would prefer to say what somebody wants in a specific situation (not in general):
•    'Would you prefer tea or coffee?'    'Coffee, please.'

We say 'would prefer to do something' (not doing):
•    'Shall we go by train?'    'I'd prefer to drive.' (not I'd prefer driving)
•    I'd prefer to stay at home tonight rather than go to the cinema.

Unit 59; Part C

Would rather (I'd rather ...)
Would rather (do) = would prefer (to do). We use would rather + infinitive (without to). Compare:
59.1.jpg

The negative is 'I'd rather not (do something)':
•    I'm tired. I'd rather not go out this evening, if you don't mind.
•    'Do you want to go out this evening?'    'I'd rather not.'

We say 'would rather do something than do something else':
•    I'd rather stay at home tonight than go to the cinema.

Unit 59; Part D

I'd rather you did something
We say 'I'd rather you did something' (not I'd rather you do).For example:
•    'Shall I stay here?'    'I'd rather you came with us.' (= I would prefer this)
•    'I'll repair your bike tomorrow, OK?'    'I'd rather you did it today.'
•    'Are you going to tell them what happened?'    'No. I'd rather they didn't know."
•    Shall I tell them, or would you rather they didn't know?

In this structure we use the past (came, did etc.), but the meaning is present not past. Compare:
•    I'd rather make dinner now.
•    I'd rather you made dinner now. (not I'd rather you make)

I'd rather you didn't (do something) = I'd prefer you not to do it:
•    I'd rather you didn't tell anyone what I said.
•    'Shall I tell Linda what happened?'    'I'd rather you didn't.'

1 Put the verb into the correct form where necessary.

Which do you prefer? Write sentences using 'I prefer (something) to (something else)'. Put the verb into the correct form where necessary.

1    (drive / travel by train)      I prefer driving to travelling by train.
2    (basketball / football). I prefer ______________________________________
3    (phone people / send emails). I ______________________________________
4    (go to the cinema / watch videos at home). ______________________________________

Now rewrite sentences 3 and 4 using the structure 'I prefer to (do something)'.
5    (1) I prefer to drive rather than travel by train.
6    (3) I prefer to ______________________________________
7    (4) ______________________________________

2 Write sentences using I'd prefer... and I'd rather ...

Write sentences using I'd prefer... and I'd rather ... + the following:

59.2.jpg

Now use the same ideas to complete these sentences using than and rather than.
10    I'd prefer to get a taxi   rather than walk home.
11    I'd prefer ro go for a swim _________________________
12    I'd rather eat at home _________________________
13    I'd prefer to think about it for a while _________________________
14    I'd rather listen to some music _________________________

3 Complete the sentences using would you rather I ... .

Complete the sentences using would you rather I ... .

1    Are you going to make dinner or    would you rather I made it?
2    Are you going to tell Liz what happened or would you rather _________________________?
3    Are you going to do the shopping or _________________________?
4    Are you going to phone Diane or _________________________?

4 Use your own ideas to complete these sentences.

Use your own ideas to complete these sentences.


1    'Shall I tell Ann the news?'    'No, I'd rather she    didn't    know.'
2    Do you want me to go now or would you rather I __________ here?
3    Do you want to go out this evening or would you rather __________ at home?
4    This is a private letter addressed to me. I'd rather you __________ read it.
5    I don't really like these shoes. I'd rather they __________ a different colour.
6    A: Do you mind if I turn on the radio?
      B:   I'd rather you __________. I'm trying to study.

Unit 58 Unit 59 Unit 60