a. Prefer to do and prefer doingYou can use prefer to do or
prefer doing to say what you prefer in general. prefer to is more
usual:I dont like cities. I prefer to live (or I prefer living) in
the century
Study the difference in structure: I prefer (doing something to
(doing) something else.but: I prefer to do something rather than
(do) something else.
- I prefer that coat to the coat you were wearing yesterday.Tom
prefer driving to traveling by train.but: Tom prefers to drive
rather than travel by trainI prefer to live in the country rather
than (live) in a city
b. Would prefer (to do)Use would prefer to do so say what
someone wants to do in a particular situation (not in
general):Would you prefer tea or coffee? coffee pleaseShall we go
by train ?. well, Id prefer to go by car. (not going)Note
structure:Id prefer to do something rather than (do) something
else
Id prefer to stay at home tonight rather than go to the
cinema
c. Would rather (do) = would prefer to do. After would rather we
une the initiative without to.Compare:Shall we go by train?well, Id
prefer to go by carwell, Id rather go by car.( not to go) Would you
rather have tea or coffee? coffee pleaseIm tired. Id rather not go
out this evening, if you dont mindDo you want to go out this
evening?, Id rather notNote the structure:Id rather do something
than (do) something elseId rather stay at home than go to the
cinema
d. Would rather someone did somethingWhen you want someone else
to do something, you can say Id rather you did. / Id rather he did
. Etc. We use the past in this structures but the meaning is
present or future, not past.
Compare:Id rather cook the dinner nowId rather you cooked the
dinner now. (not Id rather you cook)
Shall I stay here?. Well, Id rather you came with usId rather
you didnt tell anyone what I saidDo you mind if I smoke? Id rather
you didnt
e. Like doing something better than doing something
elseCompare:
They like diving better than skiingHe likes tea better than
coffee
