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Lesson 1 of 1
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Expressing Preferences (would rather, prefer, would prefer, had better)
I. Would rather/would sooner (meaning I would prefer to)
A. one subject:
a) we refer to the present or the future, general or specific preference
- I’d rather stay at home than go to the disco.
- I’d sooner not talk about it.
b) we refer to the past
- I’d rather have gone there yesterday.
B. two subjects:
a) present, future reference
- I’d rather you didn’t go there.
b) past reference
- I’d rather you hadn’t told everyone about it.
II. Prefer
A. prefer + noun/-ing + to + noun/-ing (to talk about general preferences)
- I prefer reading books to watching TV.
- I prefer tea to coffee
B. prefer + full infinitive + rather than + bare infinitive (to talk about general preferences)
- I prefer to drink wine rather than (drink) beer.
III. Would prefer
A. to + infinitive (to talk about a specific preference)
- Would you like a cup of tea? – I’d prefer to have some water.
- I’d prefer him not to go to the party. (a new subject is introduced)
B. would prefer + full infinitive + rather than + bare/full infinitive (to talk about a specific preference)
- I’d prefer to sleep in my bed rather than (to) stay in a hotel.
Note 1:
- They’d prefer us to come later.
= They would prefer it if we came later.
IV. Had better + bare infinitive (giving advice, warning: meaning should)
- You’d better see a doctor.
- You’d better not be late.
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