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How to use prefer, would rather and prefer

Episode 241206 / 06 Dec 2024

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Introduction

Maria has sent us a question by email. She wants to know what the difference is between 'I prefer', 'I would prefer' and 'I would rather'.

Sian says...

Use prefer...

  • to say you like one thing more than another when talking about general preference e.g. I prefer coffee to tea.
  • with the preposition 'to'
  • with nouns e.g. I prefer coffee to tea.
  • with verbs in the -ing form e.g. I prefer staying in to going out.

Use would rather...

  • to say you like one thing more than another when talking about general preference e.g. Nowadays, I'd rather stay in than go out.
  • to talk about a specific preference e.g. Tonight, I'd rather stay in than go out. I'm tired.
  • with the preposition 'than'
  • with verbs in the infinitive (without 'to') e.g. Nowadays, I'd rather stay in than go out. Tonight, I'd rather stay in than go out. I'm tired.

Use would prefer + rather than together...

  • to talk about specific preferences, like things you prefer to do now or in the future
  • with the preposition 'than'
  • with the verb in the 'to' plus infinitive form e.g. I'd prefer to go out rather than stay in tonight.
  • In spoken English, it's common to contract 'I would' to 'I'd' and it's common to drop the 'rather' e.g. I'd prefer to go out than stay in tonight.

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