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

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。
I prefer reading to watching TV.
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。
I'd rather not discuss it.
Would you rather I came later?
我宁愿待在这里。
Preferiría quedarme aquí.
ここにいたいです。
Would you rather I came later?

✗ Don't Say

I prefer tea than coffee. (use 'to')
I prefer tea than coffee. ('to'를 사용해야 함)
I'd rather to stay. (no 'to' with would rather)
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