Iโd prefer and Iโd rather have very similar meanings and are used to express preference. Though they have a similar meaning but they are both used in different ways.
ย
Letโs take a look at how we can use would prefer in a sentence:
When we are talking about a specific preference would rather goes before a noun or an infinitive.
- I would prefer coffee.
- We would prefer live music.
- You would prefer to watch a movie.
- They would prefer to go to the beach.
ย
When we are talking about a general preference would prefer goes before the gerund form.
- I would prefer driving a car to riding a bike.
- We would prefer washing the dishes to ironing the clothes.
ย
Notice how we use to to compare one general choice over another. When we want to compare a specific choice over another we use would preferโฆinstead of.
- I would prefer to ski instead of skateboard.
- You would prefer chocolate instead of fruit.
ย
Now letโs look at would rather. When we want to talk a specific or general preference would rather goes before the bare infinitive.
- Iโd rather take English lessons.
- Theyโd rather study in the evening.
- Weโd rather not go to the concert.
- Youโd rather play video games all day.
ย
If you want to compare ย preferences you can use the structure would ratherโฆthan. For example:
- Iโd rather than English lesson than Spanish lessons.
- Theyโd rather study in the evening than study in the morning.
- Weโd rather play video games all day than go to school.
- Iโd rather drive than walk.
ย
We can use would rather to talk about another persons actions. To do this we use the past tense after would rather, even if we are talking about a present or future situation.
- Iโd rather you came home for dinner.
- Weโd rather she played piano than the drums.
- The parents would rather the children watched less television.