It is not a guarantee that you will respond correctly and competently in every situation. In this foreign language, there are a lot of all kinds of constructions and expressions that simply need to be studied, if only because they are very widely used in speech, both written and oral. Then you will easily understand what exactly (specifically) the interlocutor wanted to say, what he wanted to emphasize, what shade he wanted to give to his words. Moreover, you can easily answer in the same vein, and simply express your opinion, based on such popular speech patterns in English language.
Let's talk about famous expressions prefer And would rather (would sooner). Despite the fact that in meaning these constructions refer to the same topic - I want, I prefer - they have differences both in the shade they give to speech and in the use that contains its own grammatical nuances. To better represent these important points, we will not mix these expressions, but consider them separately, thereby forming a clear idea of how, where and when it is necessary usewould rather (would sooner) Andprefer.
Use prefer
We will start directly with the verb "prefer" - prefer. We use this verb with the particle infinitive to (prefer to do something) or with a gerund ( prefer doing something) . Both of these constructions are absolutely equivalent. They express the preferences of a person in general, that is, they determine what a person always likes, and not in any particular situation. It is important to capture precisely the meaning of the general, and not the particular.
I prefer to live in the country. - I prefer to live outside the city.
I prefer phoning people to writing letters. I like calling people more than writing letters to them.
I prefer to stay up late at night. – I prefer to go to bed late at night.
She prefers giving gifts rather than receiving them. She likes giving gifts more than receiving them.
To clearly remember the correct structure of the construction with the verb " prefer”, it is necessary to learn several sentences that represent the algorithm for its use. There are three such examples:
- I prefer something to something else- I prefer something to something
- I prefer doing something to doing something else- I prefer to do this, not this
- I prefer to do something rather than (do) something– see option 2
I prefer meat to fish. - I like meat more than fish.
I prefer going to the theater to watching plays on television. - I prefer to go to the theater rather than watch performances on TV.
I prefer to live in the country rather than (live) in the city. I like living in the countryside more than in the city.
As opposed to using just a verb prefer, the use of the expression would prefer does not mean the preferences of the person as a whole, but his wishes and needs in a particular situation. In other words, someone wants something (do something) right now, even if in a more general sense in life he does not give preference to this. We also highlight two samples, according to which you can make all the following proposals you need:
- Would you prefer…? - What would you like? What do you prefer? (in a certain situation).
Would you prefer tea or coffee? Coffee, please. - Will you have tea or coffee? Coffee please.
- I would prefer to do something rather than do something else. (I would prefer one over the other).
I'd prefer to read a book. - I would like to read a book.
I'd prefer to eat at home rather than go out. I would rather eat at home than go to some establishment.
note that would in these constructions, it is almost always used in an abbreviated form - I would=I'd…
Use would rather (would sooner)
The second is very useful expression – would rather- is similar to the previous one I would prefer. The semantic meaning of these three constructions ( would rather, would sooner, would prefer) is the same, but there is a very small, but quite significant nuance in the grammatical design. After would prefer we use the infinitive with the particle to (to do), and after the other two - without the particle to (do). Accordingly, a sample for memorization with usewouldrather will look like this: I'd rather do something than do something else.
Shall we go by train? well, I'd prefer to go by car. I'd rather go by car. - Shall we go by train? Well, I would go by car.
I'd rather walk in the park than go to the cinema. I would rather take a walk in the park than go to the cinema.
I'd rather wait for a few minutes. - I would wait a few minutes.
He said he would sooner stay at home. He said he would rather stay at home.
And one more rule regarding the use would rather (would sooner): when we want someone else to do something, or we are trying to say that it is preferable for another person to do something, we refer to this construction - would rather someone did something. Pay special attention to the fact that the verb in this case will be in the simple past tense, but it will be about the actions of the present or future.
I'd rather you cooked dinner now. I would like you to cook dinner now.
I'd rather you told her. “I would rather you tell her.
My mother would rather we caught the bus, rather than walk home after the party. Mom would have preferred us taking the bus home after the party rather than walking.
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Hello guys! What's shaking? I hope that everything is fine with you and you are full of strength and enthusiasm to continue learning English! Tamara and the Puzzle English channel are with you again!
Today we have on the agenda the topic would rather, would prefer and had better - what is the difference between them and when to use them at all?
To begin with, they all express preference or advice in one way or another, but in different ways. Let's first look at the constructions would rather and would prefer, and then we will deal with had better.
Usually would rather we translate as “I would rather, perhaps it would be better,” that is, we express preference for any reason. And before giving examples, I want to note that this construction is used with the infinitive of the verb without the to particle, so be careful!
Here's what the structure looks like in a sentence:
I would rather stay at home than go to school.
I'd rather stay at home than go to school. (stay is just the same infinitive of the verb without the particle to)
By the way, would can be easily shortened and say I’d rather instead of I would rather.
I would rather eat meat than fish for lunch.
I would rather eat meat than fish for dinner.
When we use would rather, it means that we have a choice and we can prefer one to the other.
But we don't always talk about ourselves. Sometimes we wish someone would do something. In this case, the sentence construction scheme will change slightly and will look like this:
Would rather + Subject + Past Simple
Consider an example:
I would rather you put on your coat. It's cold outside.
I would like you to put on your coat. It's cold outside.
I would rather you did this task. I would like you to do this task.
If we are talking about the past tense, then instead of Past Simple we will use Past Perfect.
Like this:
He would rather Pam had gone to Italy last summer.
He would like Pam to go to Italy last summer.
I would rather you had taken your medicine.
You better take your medicine. (Meaning he took the medicine then - in the past)
What if I need to build a negative sentence with the construction would rather? How to do it right? Yes, very easy! Just add not after rather. And here's what you get:
I would rather not go outside today. It's too hot.
I'd rather not go out today. Too hot.
If we want to say that the other person did not do something, then we will use either didn’t, or wasn’t, or weren’t. Like this:
I'd rather you didn't go to the club without me.
I wish you didn't go to the club without me.
And if your girlfriend still went to the club without you and you want to say that you didn’t like her act, then build your sentence like this:
I'd rather you hadn't gone to the club without me.
You better not go to the club without me.
Well, I hope you're not too jealous, and yet you won't be mad at her for long!
And we're moving on! Everything is clear with negative sentences, but interrogative ones are still in the fog. So let's get it clear! The scheme for constructing a proposal will be as follows:
Would + Subject (subject) + rather + verb infinitive without particle to
Would you rather eat porridge or pancakes for breakfast?
Would you prefer porridge or pancakes for breakfast?
When there are two subjects in the sentence, then we will use Past Simple for events in the present and future and Past Perfect for events in the past:
Would you rather be honest with you?
Would you prefer her to be honest with you? (meaning in the present or future)
Would you rather she wasn't honest with you?
Would you rather her being dishonest with you? (current or future)
Would you rather have been honest with you?
Would you like her to be honest with you? (in past)
Would you rather she hadn't been honest with you?
Would you rather her being dishonest with you? (here also refers to dishonest in the past)
Well, this is basically the main thing to say about would rather.
Now let's talk about would prefer. This construction is similar to would rather, but it has a slight difference. After the infinitive of the verb, would rather does not have a to particle, but would prefer does.
See:
I would prefer to take a taxi rather than go on foot.
I would rather take a taxi than walk.
Important note! You can't just say THAN, you can only say RATHER THAN!
Move on:
I would prefer another restaurant.
I would have preferred a different restaurant.
If we build a negative sentence, then it will look like this:
I would prefer not to go on foot.
I would rather not walk.
Well, if we need to ask a question, then we will construct it as follows:
Would you prefer to take a taxi or go on foot?
Would you like to take a taxi or walk?
Would you prefer another restaurant?
Would you prefer another restaurant?
If we want to express a preference for the actions of another person, then we use the following scheme:
Would prefer + object pronoun (me, her, him, it, us, them) + to with verb infinitive
She would prefer us to come as soon as possible.
Or! You can build the same sentence in a different way. Here's one:
Would prefer + it if + pronoun + past simple:
She would prefer it if we came as soon as possible.
She would like us to come as soon as possible.
Choose any of these options, you can't go wrong!
These were all affirmative sentences, where there were two subjects, and we still had negative and interrogative ones. So do not relax, friends, let's go!
Negative sentences are built very simply, we just need to add a part of not before to, like this:
She would prefer you not to call her late at night.
She'd rather you didn't call her late at night.
Concerning interrogative sentences, then they are also not so difficult to build.
First we put would, then the subject, + prefer, then the noun or pronoun, and then to and the infinitive of the verb.
See what happens:
Would you prefer me to read it out loud?
Would you like me to read this aloud?
Would you prefer me to drive a car?
Do you want me to drive?
This is what would prefer. But we still have the had better construction. But we will analyze this construction in the next lesson, so do not miss it! To check how well you have mastered this topic, follow the link to the Puzzle English website, register and complete the exercise. Tamara was with you, bye!
Hello guys! I hope everyone watched the tutorial on would rather, would prefer? If not, then watch it first, because it is a continuation of that lesson. And today's lesson will be devoted to the had better construction. Tamara and the Puzzle English channel are with you again!
We use the had better construction in the present and future to say that something is desirable and “better” to do or, conversely, not to do in any situation.
When building a sentence with had better, we will not use to after the infinitive of the verb, as in the case of would rather. It is also worth noting that in informal speech we use the abbreviation - instead of had - the apostrophe d (‘d).
It's eight o'clock, I'd better go now.
It's already eight o'clock, I have to go.
Had better is a strong enough expression, we use it when we think that if something is not done, then there may be negative consequences.
So we don't use it when we talk about preferences, we use it when we talk about specific recommendations.
Let's now deal with had better in negative sentences. To form one, we just need to add a particle after had. Let's look at a couple of examples:
I'd better not tell her about this.
I better not tell her about it.
He had better not start this conversation at all.
He'd better not start this conversation at all.
Now let's move on to the questions. To ask a question with had better, you need to put had at the very beginning of the sentence. Here is an example:
Had I better speak to Jess first before I send this letter?
Should I have spoken to Jess first before sending this email?
It should be noted that such questions are extremely rare. More often, instead of them, you can hear a question starting with Should.
Well, here we are at the end! Be sure to listen to this lesson again in a day or two and follow the link to the English puzzle site to do exercises and consolidate the material covered. And Tamara and the Puzzle English channel were with you! see you!
When we say what we would like to do in a particular situation. In this tutorial, we will look at 2 preference constructs would rather And would prefer, which can be confused, since they have almost the same translation. This should not be done, because after would prefer the infinitive is used with a particle to.
- I would rather do = I'd rather do - I'd rather ...
- I would prefer to do = I'd prefer to do - I'd rather...
Remember: I would rather = I would prefer = I would like
EXAMPLES
- I'd rather stay home tonight. — I'd rather stay at home tonight.
- I'd prefer to stay home tonight. — I would rather stay at home tonight.
When expressing negation add a particle not:
I would rather NOT go out tonight. I would prefer NOT to leave the house tonight.
You can combine these two designs and get:
I would prefer to stay home tonight rather than go out. I would rather stay at home today than go for a walk.
Here is a funny poem Personal Questions, which will allow you to 100% remember how to politely avoid answering a question that is too personal.
Personal Questions
Where were you born? — I'd rather not say.
Where are you from? — I'd rather not say.How tall are you? How old are you?
How much do you weigh?
I'd rather not say.How much rent do you pay? — I'd rather not say.
How much do you make? — I'd rather not say.
Why aren't you married? - I'd rather not say.
Why don't you have children? — I'd rather not say.
Where were you last night? Why weren't you home?Did you stay out late? Did you come home alone?
Did you have a good time? Did you see a good play?
Did you go to a concert?I'd rather not say. “I would prefer not to speak.
Did you remember how to avoid answering a personal question?- Of course, say - I'd rather not say.
Also, when expressing one's desires (= preferences), the construction is often used - I would like. Do you remember how it is translated? Test yourself.
Select correct option translation.
So, I would like translated as I would like, I would prefer. Do not confuse with the expression I like- I like
I like coffee. (I like coffee) VS I would like coffee. (I'd rather have coffee.)
Exercises on Would like to/ Would prefer to/ Would rather
Exercise 1. Say what you'd rather do. Use construction I would like to and preposition instead of - instead of
Example. James would like to read a book instead of working in the garden. — Jace would prefer read a book instead of to work in the garden.
Comment: After the preposition instead of the gerund is put - working
1. James/ read the book/ work in the garden.
2. Chris / play football / do one's homework.
3. Jane and Mary / sunbathe / clean up.
4. Laura / watch TB / wash up.
5. Nick and Peter / ride one's bicycles / play the computer.
6. Mr Robertson /drink tea /make a bird house.
7. Mrs Smith / talk over the phone / cook.
8. Irene / write a letter / go to work.
9. The children / swim / repair the car.
10. The dog / walk about the field / look through the window.
Exercise 2. Now do the same exercise using the construction I'd prefer to…. rather than
Example. James would prefer to read a book rather than work in the garden. — Jace would prefer read a book , but not to work in the garden.
Structure expresses advice
You had better take the coat. It "s cold outside. - You'd better take a coat, it's cold outside
2. Somebody would rather (would sooner, had rather, had sooner) |do smth (not do smth).
Structure expresses preference
I "d rather go to the cinema tonight.- I'd rather go to the cinema today.
If the subject would rather and the next verb match, then the infinitive (the first form of the verb) is used after this structure.
If the sentence refers to the past, then the perfect form of the infinitive (have gone) is used. I'd rather not have gone to the dinner party last night.
Smb would rather ("d rather)| smd did smth/smb had done smth
I "d rather Kate stayed with us tonight.- I'd rather have Kate stay with us tonight.
If the subject of would rather does not match the subject of the following verb, then the Present Subjunctive II form is used after this structure for future and present actions.
If the sentence refers to the past, then Past Subjunctive II (had + third form of the verb) is used. I "d rather Sam had not taken his father"s car yesterday.
3. If only smb (Oh, if smb, Oh, that) |did smth/had done smth.
The structure expresses desire in the present and regret in the past.
If only it were summer now! -If only now it was summer!
If only I had studied better at school! - If only I studied better at school!
4. Smb wishes /wished, will wish| smb did smth.
The structure is used to express a desire relating to the present or future.
I wish I were ten years younger.-I would like to be ten years younger.
Smb. wishes/wished, will wish| smb had done smth
The structure is used to express regret about an action that happened in the past.
I wish I had not been stolen the motorbike.- I wish I didn't steal that bike (literal translation)
Too bad I stole that bike.
As a rule, such sentences are translated into Russian through "sorry", while negative ones change to positive ones, and positive ones to negative ones.
I wish /wished, will wish|somebody would do it /wouldn't do it/.
The structure expresses a polite command, an order; or the desire of the speaker to change the situation or someone's behavior.
I wish you would pay more attention.- I would like you to pay more attention.
Structure is not used for actions related to the past; and if the sentence has the same subject.
I wish you would have been more polite then.
I wish I would go to the USA.
5 It's time (It's high time, It's about time) |smb did smth.
The structure expresses a wish, with a touch of reproach.
It "s time you knew it. - It's time for you to know this.
Used only with present and future tense.
What to choose: had better or would rather? And what is there after the apostrophe in the abbreviated form I'd, you'd - would or had? How not to get confused? At the grammar intensive lessons via Skype, you can personally analyze all the nuances in detail with the teacher of the English Voyage school. In the meantime - a little theory with examples. Like sentences with , the phrases had better or would rather express a hypothetical meaning, that is, an assumed, unreal.
Had better (not) - better, it would be better
means the best, wiser choice, a suitable alternative in a particular situation. This modal phrase may mean urgency, advice, warning or threat.
For example:
1. Youhad better go now(it would be good, wise or suitable for you to go now).
You better go.
2. If he took your key, you'd better change the locks.
If he took your key, you better change the locks.
3. Your dog had better not dig up my rosebush!
I wish your dog didn't dig up my roses.
Had better usage
1. Synonyms had better:
— ought to do something
— should do something.
2. In negative sentences put better before not.
You had better not go now.
3. The short form ‘d’ is very common. e.g. You'd better - you HAD better.
4. The negative form hadn’t better is mainly used in questions: Hadn't we better change our clothes? "Shouldn't we change clothes?"
5. Sometimes had is omitted in colloquial speech: e.g. I better try again later.
would rather - would prefer, perhaps
expresses choice and means "would rather do something"
For example:
1. I would rather do it tomorrow.
I'll probably do it tomorrow. (I would rather do it tomorrow.)
2.I' rather stay at university than go home now - I need to finish this difficult assignment.
I would rather stay at the university than go home now - I have to finish this difficult task.
3. I'd rather have a snack. (than drink water)
I, perhaps, will have a snack (than I will drink water).
would rather use
1. would rather = prefer
2. WOULD RATHER + SUBJECT + PAST SIMPLE / CONTINUOUS - we use it if we want to someone else did something in present or future.
For example:
I'd rather you didn't go to Spain alone. You better not go to Spain alone. (I'd rather you didn't go to Spain alone.)
3. WOULD RATHER + SUBJECT + PAST PERFECT - use for expression dissatisfaction with someone did in past.
For example:
I'd rather you hadn't gone to Spain alone. You better not go to Spain alone. (I'd rather you didn't go to Spain alone.)
4. The shortened form 'd is very common. e.g. I'd rather - I WOULD rather.
Pay special attention to the fact that after the phrases had better or would rather the infinitive is used without to particles.
For example:
We' d better go. We'd better go.
I' rather stay there. I'll probably stay there.
