To express a general preference
To express specific preference
When we speak about a specific preference would rather
e would prefer have the same meaning.
After would prefer we can use a noun or to-infinitive.
After would rather we use an infinitive without to.
Ex.: We went to the cinema last weekend. Today I would
rather stay at home
Or
We went to the cinema last weekend. Today I would
prefer to stay at home
We use a past tense after would rather when we speak
about the actions of other people, even though that
action may be in the present or future.
Ex.: I’d rather you came with me than stay here alone.
It’s dangerous to cross the park at night.
This work is quite heavy. I’d rather you didn’t take it.
When we compare things we use would rather … than/
would prefer … rather than.
It’s such a fantastic working environment. I’d rather
work here than in my office.
It’s such a fantastic environment. I’d prefer to work
here rather than in my office.
I- Let’s complete the following sentences with one
of the above structures.
1- I _____would_prefer________ not to become a
computer programmer.
2- They ____would_rather______ to interview you at
5 p.m.
3- ____would_rather______ come on Monday or
Tuesday?
4- My best friend ______would_prefer_____ chatting
online to talking on the phone.
5- I _____would_prefer_______ to go to the cinema
rather than go to the theatre.
6- I ____would_prefer_______ you admitted you
made a mistake.
7- They ____would_rather______ having a full-time
job to a part-time job.
8- I ____would_prefer_____ not to talk about my
working life.
9- She _____would_rather______ work with a
different person.
10- I __would_prefer_yo_stay_______ to have a
job rather than live on my parents’ expenses.
11- They _would_rather_stay______ contract him
than her, because he is very pragmatic.
When we speak about a general preference we
can use prefer+gerund …
to+gerund/prefer+to infinitive … +infinitive
or would rather+infinitive … than+infinitive.
EX.:I prefer studying Maths to writing poetry.
I’d rather study Maths than write poetry.
Prefer can be followed by a noun, gerund or
infinitive.
I prefer a computer to a typewriter
I Prefer working with a computer to using a
mobile phone.
I prefer to work with a computer rather than use
a mobile phone.
II- Fill in the gaps with the verbs in the
most suitable form.
1- She prefers _____works_______ (work)
alone to ___worked____ (work) in a team.
2- They’d rather ___to_hold____ (have) a
part-time job ______to_______ (be) on the
dole.
3- They would prefer ___receive___ (receive)
weekly _____to_pay____ (be paid) monthly
as they are..
4- She prefers ____studying_____ (study)
___homework______ (work).
5- He would prefer _____to_____ (be) an
engineer rather than a doctor.
6- Would you prefer ___works____ (work) in
Portugal or abroad?
7- I’d rather ______to____ (invest) in Portugal
than in Brazil.
8- They’d prefer ___to_hold____ (not/have) a
well-paid job rather than __to_make__ (do)
something they don’t like.
9- She would rather _____to_____ (be)
unemployed than _____worked_____
(work) for this company.
10- I’d rather my daughter ___travel___ (go) on
studying than _____to_____ (start) working.
11- We prefer ___to_hold____ (have) holidays
in summer to holidays in winter.
12- They would rather ____travel____ (go) on
strike than _____agreed____ (accept) those
bad working conditions.