Here are the rules for using would rather, would prefer and prefer correctly. The first table looks at how we can express specific preference; the second shows us how to express general preference.
| When we speak about a specific preference, would rather and would prefer have the same meaning and are interchangeable. |
We went to the theatre yesterday. Today I would rather go to the cinema. [external_link_head] We went to the theatre yesterday. Today I would prefer to go to the cinema. |
| Would rather can be abbreviated to ‘d rather. Would prefer can be abbreviated to ‘d prefer. |
I’d rather go to the cinema. I’d prefer to go to the cinema. |
| Would rather is followed by the infinitive without to.
Would prefer is followed by to + infinitive or a noun. [external_link offset=1] |
I’d rather have fruit juice. I’d prefer to have fruit juice. |
| 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. |
I’d rather you took a taxi (instead of walking) – it’s not safe on the streets at night. The film is quite violent. I’d rather our children didn’t watch it. |
| We say: would rather . . . than |
It’s such nice weather – I‘d rather sit in the garden than watch TV. |
| We say: would prefer . . . rather than / instead of |
It’s such nice weather – I‘d prefer to sit in the garden rather than watch TV. |
| When we talk about general preferences, we can use prefer or would rather. The meaning is the same. |
I prefer walking to cycling. |
| After prefer we use the verb in the -ing form.
After would rather we use the infinitive without to. [external_link offset=2] |
I prefer using a keyboard to writing with a pen. I’d rather use a keyboard than write with a pen. |
| We say: prefer . . . to . . .
We say: would rather . . . than . . . |
I prefer walking to driving. I’d rather walk than drive. |
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