How do you use "prefer / would rather" in a sentence?

I prefer working from home. She prefers tea to coffee. I'd rather stay here. Would you rather eat in or out?

prefer / would rather

Q: What does "prefer / would rather" mean?

Expressing preferences 'Prefer' uses to-infinitive or gerund: 'I prefer to walk' / 'I prefer walking.' 'Prefer X to Y' compares: 'I prefer tea to coffee.' 'Would rather' uses bare infinitive: 'I'd rather stay.'

Grammar Pattern BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Practice this with flashcards, quizzes & audio on WordLoci →

Meaning: Expressing preferences

表达偏好

Expresar preferencias

好みを表現する

선호를 표현하기

'Prefer' uses to-infinitive or gerund: 'I prefer to walk' / 'I prefer walking.' 'Prefer X to Y' compares: 'I prefer tea to coffee.' 'Would rather' uses bare infinitive: 'I'd rather stay.'

'Prefer'用于一般偏好：'I prefer tea to coffee'。'Would rather'用于特定情况：'I'd rather stay home tonight'。'Would rather'后面直接跟动词原形。

'Prefer' es para preferencias generales: 'I prefer tea to coffee.' 'Would rather' es para situaciones específicas: 'I'd rather stay home tonight.' 'Would rather' va seguido directamente de infinitivo sin 'to.'

「Prefer」は一般的な好みに使います：「I prefer tea to coffee」。「Would rather」は特定の状況に使います：「I'd rather stay home tonight」。「Would rather」の後は原形不定詞が直接続きます。

'Prefer'는 to부정사 또는 동명사를 사용합니다: 'I prefer to walk' / 'I prefer walking.' 'Prefer X to Y'로 비교합니다: 'I prefer tea to coffee.' 'Would rather'는 원형 부정사를 사용합니다: 'I'd rather stay.'

Examples

I prefer working from home.
我更喜欢在家工作。
Prefiero trabajar desde casa.
在宅勤務の方が好きです。
재택근무하는 것을 더 좋아합니다.
She prefers tea to coffee.
她更喜欢茶而不是咖啡。
Ella prefiere el té al café.
彼女はコーヒーより紅茶が好きです。
그녀는 커피보다 차를 더 좋아합니다.
I'd rather stay here.
我宁愿待在这里。
Preferiría quedarme aquí.
ここにいたいです。
여기 있는 게 낫겠어요.
Would you rather eat in or out?
你想在家吃还是出去吃？
¿Preferirías comer en casa o fuera?
家で食べたいですか、外で食べたいですか？
집에서 먹을래요, 밖에서 먹을래요?

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: preferential

✓ Do Say

I prefer reading to watching TV.
我更喜欢在家工作。
Prefiero trabajar desde casa.
在宅勤務の方が好きです。
저는 TV 보는 것보다 독서를 더 좋아해요.
I'd rather not discuss it.
她更喜欢茶而不是咖啡。
Ella prefiere el té al café.
彼女はコーヒーより紅茶が好きです。
그것에 대해 이야기하지 않는 게 좋겠어요.
Would you rather I came later?
我宁愿待在这里。
Preferiría quedarme aquí.
ここにいたいです。
제가 나중에 오는 게 나을까요?
I prefer tea to coffee.
你想在家吃还是出去吃？
¿Preferirías comer en casa o fuera?
家で食べたい？外で食べたい？
저는 커피보다 차를 더 좋아해요.
I'd rather stay.
I'd rather stay.
Preferiría quedarme.
私はここにいたいです。
저는 여기 있는 게 낫겠어요.

✗ Don't Say

I prefer tea than coffee. (use 'to')
I prefer tea than coffee.（应用'to'）
I prefer tea than coffee. (usar 'to', no 'than')
I prefer tea than coffee.（'than'ではなく'to'を使います）
I prefer tea than coffee. ('than'이 아니라 'to'를 사용)
I'd rather to stay. (no 'to' with would rather)
I'd rather to stay.（would rather后不加'to'）
I'd rather to stay. (no se usa 'to' con would rather)
I'd rather to stay.（would ratherの後に'to'は不要です）
I'd rather to stay. (would rather 뒤에 'to'를 쓰지 않음)

Origin & History

Preference expressions

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal