Preferences: would rather / prefer / would prefer

Rules

• Rule 1: would rather + base verb

  would rather (short: 'd rather) is for a preference now or in a specific situation. It's followed by the base verb without to. Negative: would rather not + base verb.

  Pattern: subject + 'd rather (not) + base verb

  Example: I'd rather eat at home tonight.

  Example: She'd rather not go out in the rain.

• Rule 2: would rather A than B · Would you rather A or B?

  When we compare two actions, we use than; both sides are base verbs. When we ask a question, we join the choices with or.

  Pattern: 'd rather + verb + than + verb · Would you rather A or B?

  Example: I'd rather walk than take the bus.

  Example: Would you rather be a lion or a tiger?

• Rule 3: prefer + -ing / noun … to …

  prefer is for a general, usual preference. It's followed by -ing or a noun. To compare two things we use to: prefer A to B. This to is a preposition, so B also takes -ing. For a single action, prefer + to + verb is fine too: I prefer to walk.

  Pattern: prefer + -ing / noun + to + -ing / noun

  Example: I prefer reading to watching TV.

  Example: My dad prefers tea to coffee.

• Rule 4: would prefer + to + verb

  would prefer (short: 'd prefer) is also for a preference now or in a specific situation, but it's followed by to + verb. Negative: would prefer not to + verb.

  Pattern: subject + 'd prefer (not) to + verb

  Example: I'd prefer to sit by the door.

  Example: He'd prefer not to sing today.

Common mistakes

• I'd rather to stay here. → I'd rather stay here.

  No to after would rather.

• I'd prefer stay here. → I'd prefer to stay here.

  would prefer needs to.

• I prefer swim to run. → I prefer swimming to running.

  In prefer A to B the verbs take -ing.