Page 37 - Grasp English B1+ (Grammar Book)

Ghost Stories 6

Prefer/would rather

To talk and ask about preferences, we usually
use verbs like prefer and would rather. These
two verbs have little differences both in form
and in meaning.
• I prefer playing board games with my friends.
(This is a general choice; it works the same
way as like or want. Prefer is followed by
V+ing form in the sentence.)
• I would rather stay in this Monday.
(It means that I want to stay at home only
this Monday. Would rather is followed by the
base form (V1) of the verb in the sentence.)
• I would prefer to watch a comedy film
tonight.
(Would prefer has the same meaning as
would rather but has a different structure:
would prefer is followed by to + infinitive or
a noun.)

Note: We can also say the other option using:
- prefer...to
- would prefer...rather than
- would rather...than
I prefer drinking tea to juice for breakfast.
(I don’t prefer juice.)
I’d prefer to go skiing this year rather than
go hiking.
(I want to go skiing this year.)
He would rather eat at home than eat out.
(He doesn’t want to eat out.)

Grasp English B1+ Grammar Book © Prime Press, 2021 | www.primepress.com 35