🤔 Would Rather v Prefer? What’s the difference?

Summary

This educational video explains the different structures and uses of 'would rather' and 'prefer' in English grammar, helping viewers understand how to express present and past preferences. The video covers various structures for both verbs, including when to use them with one or two subjects, as well as the correct verb forms for past preferences. The script also clarifies the distinctions between 'would rather' and 'prefer', showcasing examples for each. The content is designed to help learners grasp these grammar concepts effectively and confidently, with a free downloadable worksheet for further practice.

Takeaways

• 😀 'Would rather' and 'prefer' are two common verbs to express preferences in English, but they have different structures and uses.
• 😀 'Would rather' can be used with one subject (e.g., 'I'd rather work from home'), or with two subjects when the verb is in the past simple (e.g., 'I'd rather we went to a restaurant').
• 😀 To talk about past preferences or regrets, 'would rather' uses the perfect infinitive (e.g., 'I'd rather have visited the Eiffel Tower').
• 😀 When there are two subjects in the past, 'would rather' uses the past perfect (e.g., 'I'd rather you had chosen something more interesting').
• 😀 The verb 'prefer' can be followed by a gerund (e.g., 'I prefer watching football'), an infinitive (e.g., 'I prefer to eat healthy food'), or a noun (e.g., 'I prefer football').
• 😀 'Prefer' plus the gerund expresses enjoyment of an activity (e.g., 'I prefer watching football to playing football').
• 😀 'Prefer' plus the infinitive typically expresses a habit or life choice (e.g., 'I prefer to eat small meals rather than large ones').
• 😀 'Would prefer' always uses 'to' and cannot be followed by a gerund (e.g., 'I would prefer to go' is correct, 'I would prefer going' is incorrect).
• 😀 In present preferences with two subjects, 'would prefer' uses the structure: 'I would prefer [subject] to [verb]' (e.g., 'I would prefer you to cook').
• 😀 'Would prefer it if' followed by the past simple can express preferences about someone's actions (e.g., 'I would prefer it if you cooked').

Q & A

What are the different grammar structures for 'would rather' in the present tense?

In the present tense, 'would rather' is used with one subject by simply following it with the base form of the verb. For example: 'I'd rather work from home.' When there are two subjects, the structure changes to 'would rather' + new subject + past simple verb. For example: 'I would rather we went to a restaurant.'

How do you use 'would rather' to express past regrets?

'Would rather' is used with the perfect infinitive ('have' + past participle) to talk about past regrets or preferences. For example: 'I would rather have visited the Eiffel Tower.' This structure expresses a preference that was not fulfilled in the past.

What is the difference between 'would rather' and 'would prefer'?

'Would rather' is generally used to express immediate preferences or wishes, and often uses the past simple when there are two subjects. 'Would prefer' is more formal and typically used for present or past preferences, with the infinitive form ('to' + verb).

Can 'would rather' and 'prefer' mean the same thing?

Yes, 'would rather' and 'prefer' can often mean the same thing, especially when comparing two preferences. For example, 'I would rather have had an apple' and 'I would have preferred an apple' express the same idea, though the structures differ.

When should 'prefer' be used with the gerund and when with the infinitive?

'Prefer' is used with the gerund (verb + ing) when talking about an activity that you enjoy doing, such as 'I prefer watching football to playing it.' It is used with the infinitive ('to' + verb) when discussing choices or habits, such as 'I prefer to eat healthy food.'

How is 'would prefer' different from 'prefer' in terms of structure?

'Would prefer' is always followed by the infinitive ('to' + verb), whereas 'prefer' can be followed by the gerund, infinitive, or a noun. For example, 'I would prefer to go' vs. 'I prefer going.'

Can 'would prefer' be used with a gerund?

No, 'would prefer' cannot be used with a gerund. The correct structure is always 'would prefer to' followed by the verb in its base form. For example, 'I would prefer to go alone,' not 'I would prefer going alone.'

How do you express preferences for someone else's actions using 'would prefer'?

To express preferences for someone else's actions, use 'I would prefer it if' followed by the past simple. For example, 'I would prefer it if you cooked' or 'I would prefer it if they chose a nice restaurant.'

What is the correct structure when 'would rather' is used with two different subjects?

When 'would rather' is used with two different subjects, the structure is: 'would rather' + new subject + past simple verb. For example, 'I would rather you cooked dinner,' where the subjects are 'I' and 'you.'

What are the common mistakes when using 'would rather' and 'prefer'?

A common mistake with 'would rather' is using it with the infinitive or gerund incorrectly, as it should be followed by the base form of the verb when there is one subject, and by the past simple when there are two subjects. A mistake with 'prefer' is using it with a gerund when an infinitive is required, such as in 'I would prefer to eat' (not 'I would prefer eating').