Matter of preference

Himani o chani

Prefer and would are both used to express one’s preference. But there is always a confusion in the minds of students regarding the right use of these two words. Here’s how you can master their usage:

You can use prefer to (do) or prefer-ing to say that you like sth more than the other . For example:

I prefer playing basketball to playing cricket.

This means that you like playing basketball and cricket but you like playing basketball more.

We do not use ‘than’ after prefer. For example:

I prefer playing basketball than cricket. (Incorrect)

I prefer playing basketball to cricket. (Correct)

‘Rather than’ is also used to mean that you like something over something else. But, the sentence structure is different. For example:

I prefer to play basketball rather than play cricket.

The difference in structure is as follows:

I prefer Doing something To doing something else

I prefer Something To something else

I prefer To do something Rather than (do) something else

I prefer writing to speaking German.

I prefer this shirt to the shirt you were wearing in the morning.

I prefer to write rather than speak German.

Would prefer (I'd prefer…….)

We use would prefer or 'd prefer to talk about what you like in a specific situation, not usually. This can be a present or a future preference.

Subject + would prefer + to infinitive + verb

I would prefer to watch TV today. 

This means that you do not watch TV everyday (usually). But, you want to watch TV today. ( specific present situation).

She would prefer to not drive tomorrow morning because 

of the parade.

This means that she drives every morning (usually). But only tomorrow morning, she does not want to drive because of the parade. (specific future situation)

Would rather (I'd rather……)

Would rather is an alternative for would prefer. Both are used to express your preference . Would rather is most commonly used in spoken English.

Subject + would rather ('d rather) + base form of verb

I would rather (I'd rather) stay at home than play football right now.

Typical errors

1) not using a to-infinitive after prefer:

Incorrect: I prefer walk.

Correct: I prefer to walk.

Incorrect: When I come home from work, I like to dance but I prefer not dance in the night.

Correct: When I come home from work, I like to dance but I prefer not to dance in the night.

2) Using 'than' to make comparisons:

Incorrect: A lot of young people prefer computer games than football.

Correct: A lot of young people prefer computer games to football. (or A lot of young people prefer computer games rather than football.)

Exercise

Fill in the blanks using would rather/ would prefer/ prefer/rather than :

1 She _______________ rent a house.

2 I _______________ to travel in January rather than in March.

3 Mr. Sari _______________ to stay at his mother's house.

4 I _______________ to sing rather than dance.

5 My sister wants to go to Maldives but I _______________ to go to Sri Lanka.

6 I _______________ become an engineer.

7 I _______________ not to become a doctor.

8 They _______________ repair their car than buy a new one.

9 I _______________ buy this shirt because I prefer this colour.

10 I _______________ not rent a house in Jammu and Kashmir.

Answers

1 She would rather rent a house.

2 I would prefer to travel in January rather than in March.

3 Mr. Sari would prefer to stay at his mother's house.

4 I prefer to sing rather than dance.

5 My sister wants to go to Maldives but I would prefer to go to Sri Lanka.

6 I would rather become an engineer.

7 I would prefer not to become a doctor.

8 They would rather repair their car than buy a new one.

9 I would rather buy this shirt because I prefer this colour.

10 I would rather not rent a house in Jammu and Kashmir.

Sources:

• English Grammar in Use- Fourth Edition, Raymond Murphy
• dictionary.cambridge.org

The writer is English Trainer, 

Enguru app.