You can use "prefer to (do)" or "prefer -ing" to say what you prefer in
general
• I don't like cities. I prefer to live in the country OR I prefer livingin the country
Study the differences in structure after prefer. We sayI prefer something to something else
I prefer to do something rather than (do) something else
I prefer doing something to doing something else
• I prefer this coat to the coat you were wearing yesterday
• I prefer driving to traveling by train
but • I prefer to drive rather than travel by train
• Ann prefers to live in the country rather than (live) in a city
Would prefer (I'd prefer...)
We use "would prefer" to say what somebody wants in a particular situation -not in general
• "Would you prefer tea or coffee" "Coffee, please"
We say "would prefer to do" -not "doing"
• "Shall we go by train?" "Well, I'd prefer to go by car. (not "I'd prefer going")
• I'd prefer to stay at home tonight rather than go to the cinema
Would rather /I'd rather
Would rather (do) = would prefer (to do). After would rather we use the infinitive without to
Compare
• "Shall we go by train?""I'd prefer to go by car.""I'd rather go by car.(not to go)
• "Would you rather have tea or coffee" "Coffee, please."
The negative is "I'd rather not -do something"
• I'm tired. I'd rather not go out this evening, if you don't mind
• "Do you want to go out this evening" "I'd rather not"
Study the structure after would rather
I'd rather do something than (do) something else
• I'd rather stay at home tonight than go to the cinema
I'd rather you did something
When you want somebody to do something, you can say "I'd rather youdid something"
• "Shall I stay here?" "I'd rather you came with us"
• "Shall I tell them the news?" "No. I'd rather they didn't know"
• "Shall I tell them or would you rather they didn't know?"
In this structure we use the past (came, did etc.), but the meaning is present or future, not past
Compare
• I'd rather cook the dinner now
but • I'd rather you cooked the dinner now. (not "I'd rather you cook")
The negative is "I'd rather you didn't..."
• I'd rather you didn't tell anyone what I said
• "Do you mind if I smoke?" "I'd rather you didn't"
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