Explanation
Exercises
Preferences — “would rather/sooner” vs “(would) prefer”
specific vs general preference • polite requests

Quick map

UseFormExampleNotes
Immediate/specific choice (neutral, conversational) would rather/sooner + bare infinitive (+ than) I’d rather stay in (than go out). Negative I’d rather not go.
Preference about another person’s action (now/future) would rather + subject + past simple I’d rather you didn’t smoke here. Polite/softened past form, present meaning.
Preference about a past action would rather + subject + past perfect I’d rather you had called first. Regret/criticism of a finished action.
Specific preference (slightly more formal/polite) (would) prefer + to-infinitive We’d prefer to sit outside. Negative: I’d prefer not to drive.
Ask/require another person to do something (polite) would prefer + object + to-infinitive
would prefer (it) if + past simple		 I’d prefer you to email me.
I’d prefer it if you didn’t call late.		 Common in requests/rules.
General preference (in general, habit) prefer + noun / -ing She prefers tea. He prefers reading to TV. Choice prefer A to B.

Would rather / would sooner

  • I’d rather have tea. / Would you rather have tea or coffee?
  • I’d rather walk than take a taxi. (parallel bare infinitives)
  • She’d rather we went by train. (present/future)
  • They’d rather you hadn’t posted that photo. (past)
  • Emphasis with degree adverbs: I’d much rather stay in.

Register. would rather is everyday style; would sooner is less common and slightly formal/BrE.

(Would) prefer

  • General We prefer working from home.
  • Specific I’d prefer to leave at 7.
  • Object I’d prefer you to stay tonight.
  • Rather than / instead of I’d prefer to arrive early rather than be late. / I prefer coffee instead of tea.
  • With “to” as a preposition He prefers walking to cycling.

Would prefer = more polite/softer for a particular situation; prefer = general tastes.

Showing choices

MakerPatternExample
than would rather + V1 than + V1 I’d rather cook than order in.
rather than prefer to + V1 rather than (+ V1) We prefer to drive rather than fly.
instead of prefer + noun / -ing instead of noun / -ing She prefers cooking instead of ordering takeaway.

Common pitfalls

  • ❌ I’d rather to go → ✔ I’d rather go (no to).
  • Keep forms parallel after than/rather than: ✔ to leave rather than be late (not ✖ rather than to be in careful style).
  • Use past simple after I’d rather (that) + subject for present/future: ✔ I’d rather you didn’t.
  • For general tastes, prefer prefer, not would rather: ✔ I prefer tea (not ✖ I’d rather tea).
  • “Prefer more” is incorrect: use prefer alone or comparative with rather than: ✔ I prefer X to Y.

Questions: Would you rather…? / Would you prefer to…? Both are natural; the second is slightly more formal.

Exercises:
1
2
3

Preferences: “Would rather” vs “Would prefer”

Choose the correct option for each gap below.
1
It’s raining; I stay in and watch a film.
2
For official letters I use full names.
3
I’d you didn’t post that photo.
4
Thanks for the invite, but I go out tonight — it’s freezing.
5
On long flights, I sit by the aisle.
6
As for accommodation, I a small guesthouse over a big hotel.
7
If you’re tired, I order in than cook tonight.
8
I not to discuss the figures until the audit is complete.
9
The kids play outside than watch another cartoon.
10
I meet at 10:00, but 10:30 is also fine.

Preferences: “Would rather” vs “Would prefer”

Choose the correct option to complete the sentences below.
1
I’d rather ____ at home tonight.
A.
B.
C.
2
She’d prefer ____ an email rather than a call.
A.
B.
C.
3
I’d rather you ____ your phone off during the movie.
A.
B.
C.
4
Would you prefer ____ by the window?
A.
B.
C.
5
He would rather ____ the train than take a bus.
A.
B.
C.
6
They’d prefer coffee ____ tea.
A.
B.
C.
7
I’d rather not ____ about it now.
A.
B.
C.
8
I’d prefer ____ early if possible.
A.
B.
C.
9
Would you rather we ____ the meeting to Friday?
A.
B.
C.
10
I’d prefer to call you rather than ____ a message.
A.
B.
C.

Preferences: “Would rather” vs “Would prefer”

Fill in the gaps with ONE word. In some sentences, there is a word in brackets that you will need to use.
1
I’d stay in than go out tonight.
2
She would prefer have a window seat. (have)
3
Would you we met after lunch?
4
I’d rather you the lights. (turn)
5
They would prefer tea coffee.
6
I’d rather not about it now. (talk)
7
We would prefer leave early to avoid traffic. (leave)
8
Would you rather by train or by bus? (travel)
9
She’d rather you your shoes at the door. (leave)
10
They’d rather cook at home eat out.