To express specific preference
When we speak about a specific preference would rather/
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 ________________________ not to become a
computer programmer.
2- They _______________________ to interview you at
5 p.m.
3- ____________________________ come on Monday
or Tuesday?
4- My best friend _________________________
chatting online to talking on the phone.
5- I __________________________ to go to the cinema
rather than go to the theatre.
6- I ________________________ you admitted you
made a mistake.
7- They _______________________ having a full time
job to a part-time job.
8- I ________________________ not to talk about my
working life.
9- She ______________________ work with a different
person.
10- I _______________________ to have a job rather
than live on my parents’ expenses.
11- They ____________________ contract him than
her, because he is very pragmatic.
To express a general preference
When we speak about a general preference we
can use prefer+gerund …
to+gerund/prefer+to infinitive … +infinitive
EX.:I prefer studying Maths to writing 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 ___________________ (work)
alone to _____________ (work) in a team.
2- They’d rather ______________ (have) a
part-time job _______________ (be) on the
dole.
3- They would prefer ______________ (receive)
weekly ________________ (be paid) monthly
as they are..
4- She prefers _____________ (study)
_______________ (work).
5- He would prefer ____________ (be) an
engineer rather than a doctor.
6- Would you prefer ___________ (work) in
Portugal or abroad?
7- I’d rather ____________ (invest) in Portugal
than in Brazil.
8- They’d prefer ________________ (not/have)
a well-paid job rather than ____________
(do) something they don’t like.
9- She would rather _______________ (be)
unemployed than _______________ (work)
for this company.
10- I’d rather my daughter __________ (go) on
studying than _____________ (start)
working.
11- We prefer _______________ (have) holidays
in summer to holidays in winter.
12- They would rather ____________ (go) on
strike than _______________ (accept) those
bad working conditions.