E N G L I S H D E PA R T M E N T / I E S F C O .

D E Q U E V E D O

2 B A C H I L L E R AT O!

WOULD RATHER (d rather)

Would rather expresa preferencia y puede referirse al presente, al pasado o al futuro.
Se suele traducir por preferira y su estructura es:
sujeto + would rather + infinitivo sin to.
I would rather do it by myself

( Id rather do it by myself)

En negativa se coloca not delante del infinitivo sin to.

Id rather not do it by myself.
Cuando would rather introduce una oracin subordinada con un sujeto distinto al de la
oracin principal, la estructura ser:
sujeto 1 + would rather + sujeto 2 + Past Simple
I would rather you went by taxi.
They would rather I didnt do it by myself.
Importante.- Esta construccin se refiere al presente o al futuro aunque el verbo est en pasado.
Para expresar preferencia en el pasado empleamos la siguiente estructura:
sujeto 1 + would rather + sujeto 2 + Past Perfect
Id rather you had read the material in advance.
Id rather you hadnt sent that e-mail.
Para mostrar la preferencia de una cosa sobre otra utilizamos:
would rather + infinitivo sin to 1 ........ than + infinitivo sin to 2.
Id rather go to a film than go to the theatre.

E N G L I S H D E PA R T M E N T / I E S F C O . D E Q U E V E D O

2 B A C H I L L E R AT O!

EXERCISE
Look at the following situations and show preference by using Id rather.

1.- Your fianc bought you a diamond ring. It was too expensive.
Id rather _____________________________________________________________________
2.- Your friend wants to borrow your best sweater. You dont want her to.
Id rather _____________________________________________________________________
3.- You were planning to play tennis, but its raining.
Id rather _____________________________________________________________________
4.- Both Jill and Tom have invited you to their parties on saturday night. You want to go to Jills party.
Id rather _____________________________________________________________________
5.- You can have take-away Chinese food or go to an Italian restaurant.
Id rather _____________________________________________________________________
6.- You are planning a big party but dont want to have it at your house.
Id rather _____________________________________________________________________
7.- Your parents want to buy you some clothes for your birthday. You prefer receiving some CDs.
Id rather _____________________________________________________________________
8.- Your sister borrowed your clothes without asking you. Youre angry at her.
Id rather _____________________________________________________________________