grammar · neutral

would rather + bare infinitive (than + bare infinitive); would rather + somebody + past simple

Band 5-6speakingtask2

Use to express preference: 'would rather do A than do B'. For preferences about others' actions, use 'would rather + somebody + past simple'.

Examples

“I would rather stay at home than go out tonight.”

“I'd rather you didn't tell anyone about this.”

“Note: after 'would rather' the verbs are bare infinitives (no 'to') in comparisons; for others use past simple to express preference about their action.”

Band 8 sentence

“Given the noisy surroundings, I'd rather discuss this over the phone than meet in person.”

Collocations

  • would rather + V
  • would rather + somebody + past simple

Common mistakes

I would rather to stay home.→I would rather stay home.

I would rather you will come earlier.→I would rather you came earlier.

Say it for a higher band

5prefer + to + V→6would prefer + to + V→7+would rather + bare infinitive

Synonyms

prefer to + V

Easily confused

prefer + to + V / prefer + V-ing

“I prefer reading to watching TV.”

Related words

look forward to + V-ingtry + V-ing / try to + Vfor + somebody + to + Vavoid + V-ingbe likely to + Vbegin / start + V-ing / to + Vprevent + somebody + from + V-ingturn out + to + V

Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.

In Gerunds & infinitives

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