prefer and would rather
prefer to… / prefer -ing / would prefer / would rather / I’d rather you did — Complete Guide
prefer et would rather
prefer to… / prefer -ing / would prefer / would rather / I’d rather you did — Guide Complet
Master all ways to express preferences: prefer to…, prefer -ing, would prefer, would rather, and I’d rather you did.
Maîtrisez toutes les façons d’exprimer une préférence en anglais.
Unit 59 covers all ways English expresses preference: prefer to… and prefer -ing for general preferences, would prefer for specific situations, would rather as an equivalent to would prefer to, and I’d rather you did — where a past tense form carries a present meaning.
L’unité 59 couvre toutes les façons d’exprimer une préférence : prefer to…, prefer -ing, would prefer, would rather, et I’d rather you did.
prefer to… and prefer -ing (general preferences)
prefer to… et prefer -ing (préférences générales)
Both forms are possible. To compare two things use these patterns:
Les deux formes sont possibles. Pour comparer deux choses :
| StructureStructure | ExampleExemple |
|---|---|
| prefer something to something | I prefer this coat to the other. |
| prefer doing to doing | I prefer driving to travelling. |
| prefer doing rather than doing | I prefer driving rather than travelling. |
| prefer to do rather than (do) | I prefer to drive rather than travel. |
would prefer — specific situations
would prefer — situations spécifiques
Use would prefer for a specific situation (not general). Always to + infinitive:
Utilisez would prefer pour une situation spécifique. Toujours to + infinitif :
I’d prefer to stay at home rather than go to the cinema.
would rather (I’d rather…)
would rather (I’d rather…)
I’d rather do (NOT to do) = I’d prefer to do it:
I’d rather do (PAS to do) = I’d prefer to do it :
I’d rather not go out this evening. / ‘I’d rather not.’
I’d rather stay at home tonight than go to the cinema.
I’d rather… (bare infinitive)
I’d rather… (infinitif sans to)
I’d prefer… (to + infinitive)
I’d prefer… (to + infinitif)
I’d rather somebody did something
I’d rather somebody did something
When a different subject follows I’d rather, use the past tense (present meaning):
Quand un sujet différent suit I’d rather, utilisez le passé (sens présent) :
‘Jack will fix it tomorrow.’ ‘I’d rather he did it today.’
I’d rather you didn’t tell anyone what I said.
‘Shall I tell Anna?’ ‘I’d rather you didn’t.’
Same subject → bare infinitive
Même sujet → infinitif
Different subject → past tense
Sujet différent → passé
Exercise 1 — prefer (something) to (something else)
Exercice 1 — prefer (something) to (something else)
1. I prefer driving to travelling by train.
2. I prefer basketball to football.
3. I prefer going to the cinema to watching movies at home.
4. I prefer going to the cinema rather than watching movies at home.
Exercise 2 — would prefer / would rather. Write the missing words.
Exercice 2 — would prefer / would rather. Complétez.
Exercise 3 — I’d rather… than… / I’d prefer… rather than…
Exercice 3 — I’d rather… than… / I’d prefer… rather than…
Exercise 4 — I’d rather somebody did… Use the correct verb form.
Exercice 4 — I’d rather somebody did…
After I’d rather + different subject → past tense (present meaning).
Après I’d rather + sujet différent → passé (sens présent).
Frequently Asked Questions — Unit 59
Questions fréquentes — Unité 59
I prefer = general habit. I’d prefer = specific situation right now. “I prefer tea to coffee” (always). “I’d prefer tea, please” (right now).
I prefer = habitude générale. I’d prefer = situation spécifique maintenant.
No. would rather + bare infinitive (no to): “I’d rather go” ✓. Compare: “I’d prefer to go” (prefer needs to) vs “I’d rather go” (rather has no to).
Non. would rather + infinitif sans to.
This is the hypothetical/subjunctive past. When a different subject follows I’d rather, use past tense to show it’s a wish. Same as “I wish you were here.” “I’d rather you made dinner” = I would prefer for you to make dinner (now).
C’est le subjonctif hypothétique. Même structure que “I wish you were here” (passé, sens présent).
They mean the same thing. “prefer -ing TO -ing” and “prefer -ing RATHER THAN -ing” are both correct. Never use plain “than” without “rather”: “I prefer driving than travelling” ✗.
Elles signifient la même chose. Évitez “than” seul : “I prefer driving than travelling” ✗.
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