WOULD RATHER vs WOULD PREFER | What is the Difference?

Explanations + Extra Activities

Would Rather vs. Would Prefer – What’s the Difference?

“Would rather” and “would prefer” both express choices or preferences. They have similar meanings, but they are used in different ways.

1. WOULD RATHER

Structure: Would rather + base verb (without “to”)

  • Used in the present or future
  • More common in spoken English

✅ Examples:

  • I would rather drink tea than coffee. (= I prefer tea.)
  • She ’d rather stay home tonight. (= She prefers to stay home.)

🔹 When talking about someone else’s actions:
Would rather + subject + past simple (subjunctive)

  • I’d rather you didn’t smoke here. (= I prefer that you don’t smoke.)
  • He’d rather we left early. (= He wants us to leave early.)

2. WOULD PREFER

Structure 1: Would prefer + to + verb

  • More common in formal writing
  • Can be used with nouns, gerunds, and verbs

✅ Examples:

  • I would prefer to drink tea. (= I prefer drinking tea.)
  • She ’d prefer to stay home tonight.

🔹 Would prefer + noun:

  • I’d prefer coffee.
  • Would you prefer a window seat?

🔹 Would prefer + gerund (-ing form):

  • I’d prefer drinking tea to coffee.
  • He’d prefer staying home rather than going out.

🔹 Would prefer + subject + past simple (subjunctive)

  • I’d prefer you stayed home. (= I want you to stay home.)
  • He’d prefer we left early. (= He wants us to leave early.)

📌 Key Difference:

  • “Would prefer” can be followed by a gerund (-ing) or to + verb, but “would rather” is never followed by a gerund.
  • ❌ I’d rather drinking tea. (Incorrect)
  • ✅ I’d prefer drinking tea. (Correct)

3. Difference Between “Than” and “Rather Than”

ExpressionExample
Would rather + thanI’d rather drink tea than coffee.
Would prefer + to + rather thanI’d prefer to drink tea rather than coffee.
Would prefer + gerund + toI’d prefer drinking tea to coffee.

🚀 Key Tip: “Would rather” never uses “to + verb” or a gerund (-ing).

4. Questions with Would Rather & Would Prefer

✅ Would rather:

  • Would you rather drink tea or coffee?
  • Would he rather stay home?

✅ Would prefer:

  • Would you prefer to drink tea or coffee?
  • Would she prefer drinking tea to coffee?

Summary: When to Use Each One?

Would RatherWould Prefer
More common in speakingMore common in writing
Uses base verb (without “to”)Uses to + verb or gerund (-ing)
Can compare with “than“Can compare with “rather than” or “to“
I’d rather go now.I’d prefer to go now / I’d prefer going now.

Extra Practice!

Would Rather vs. Would Prefer – Quiz 1

Choose the correct answer for each sentence.

1. I __________ to stay home tonight rather than go out.

a) would rather
b) would prefer

2. She __________ drinking coffee to drinking tea.

a) would rather
b) would prefer

3. He __________ you didn’t talk during the movie.

a) would rather
b) would prefer

4. __________ to walk or take a taxi?

a) Would you rather
b) Would you prefer

5. I __________ eat at home than go to a restaurant.

a) would rather
b) would prefer

6. We __________ to take the earlier flight rather than the later one.

a) would rather
b) would prefer

7. She __________ coffee instead of tea.

a) would rather
b) would prefer

8. He __________ go swimming than play tennis.

a) would rather
b) would prefer

9. I __________ you stayed longer.

a) would rather
b) would prefer

10. __________ a window seat or an aisle seat?

a) Would you rather
b) Would you prefer

Answer Key

  1. b) would prefer (Uses “to + verb.”)
  2. b) would prefer (Uses “gerund + to.”)
  3. a) would rather or b) would prefer (Both are correct when referring to someone else’s actions.)
  4. a) Would you prefer (Uses “to + verb.”)
  5. a) would rather (Uses “base verb” without “to.”)
  6. b) would prefer (Uses “to + verb.”)
  7. b) would prefer (Uses “noun.”)
  8. a) would rather (Uses “base verb” without “to.”)
  9. a) would rather or b) would prefer (Both are correct when referring to someone else’s actions.)
  10. b) Would you prefer (Uses “noun phrase.”)

Would Rather vs. Would Prefer – Quiz #2

Choose the correct answer for each sentence.

1. I __________ to leave early so we don’t get stuck in traffic.

a) would rather
b) would prefer

2. She __________ he didn’t call her.

a) would rather
b) would prefer

3. __________ to eat pizza or sushi?

a) Would you rather
b) Would you prefer

4. He __________ not say anything about the situation.

a) would rather
b) would prefer

5. I __________ you stayed home tonight.

a) would rather
b) would prefer

6. We __________ to wait until tomorrow.

a) would rather
b) would prefer

7. They __________ we spoke in English.

a) would rather
b) would prefer

8. __________ to travel by car or by plane?

a) Would she rather
b) Would she prefer

9. He __________ go to the beach than the mountains.

a) would rather
b) would prefer

10. They __________ not to work overtime.

a) would rather
b) would prefer

Answer Key

  1. b) would prefer (Uses “to + verb.”)
  2. a) would rather or b) would prefer (Both are correct when referring to someone else’s actions.)
  3. a) Would you prefer (Uses “to + verb.”)
  4. b) would prefer (Uses “not to + verb.”)
  5. a) would rather or b) would prefer (Both are correct when referring to someone else’s actions.)
  6. b) would prefer (Uses “to + verb.”)
  7. a) would rather or b) would prefer (Both are correct when referring to someone else’s actions.)
  8. b) Would she prefer (Uses “to + verb.”)
  9. a) would rather (Uses “base verb” without “to.”)
  10. b) would prefer (Uses “not to + verb.”)
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