Grammar- prefer and would rather

Question 1

I don’t like cities. I prefer to live in the country.

Answer 1

or I prefer living in the country

Question 2

prefer something to something else

Answer 2

to something else

Question 3

prefer to do something

Answer 3

rather than (do) something else

Question 4

prefer doing something

Answer 4

to doing something else
rather than (doing) something else

Question 5

I prefer this coat to the other one.

Answer 5

Sarah prefers to live in the country rather than in a city.

Question 6

I prefer to drive rather than travel by train.

I prefer driving to travelling by train.

Answer 6

or

I prefer driving rather than travelling by train.

Question 7

We use would prefer to say what somebody wants in a specific situation (not in general):

Answer 7

‘Would you prefer tea or coffee?’ ‘Coffee, please.’

Question 8

We say ‘would prefer to do something’ (not usually would prefer doing):

Answer 8

‘Shall we go by train?’ ‘I’d prefer to drive.’ (= I would prefer …)
I’d prefer to stay at home tonight rather than go to the cinema.

Question 9

I’d rather = I would rather. I’d rather do something = I’d prefer to do it.

Answer 9

Shall we go by train?’
‘I’d rather drive.’ (not to drive)
‘I’d prefer to drive.’

Question 10

Which would you rather do,

Which would you prefer to do

Answer 10

go to the cinema or go shopping?

Question 11

The negative is ‘I’d rather not …’ :

Answer 11

I’m tired. I’d rather not go out this evening, if you don’t mind.
‘Do you want to go out this evening?’ ‘I’d rather not.’

Question 12

We say ‘I’d rather do one thing than do another’:

Answer 12

I’d rather stay at home tonight than go to the cinema

Question 13

I’d rather somebody did something

Answer 13

We say ‘I’d rather you did something’ (not I’d rather you do):
‘Who’s going to drive, you or me?’ ‘I’d rather you drove.’ (= I would prefer this)
‘Jack says he’ll repair your bike tomorrow, OK?’ ‘I’d rather he did it today.’
Are you going to tell Anna what happened, or would you rather I told her?

Question 14

We use the past (drove, did etc.) here, but the meaning is present not past. Compare:
I’d rather make dinner now.
I’d rather you made dinner now. (not I’d rather you make)

Answer 14

I’d rather you didn’t (do something) = I’d prefer you not to do it:
I’d rather you didn’t tell anyone what I said.
‘Shall I tell Anna what happened?’ ‘I’d rather you didn’t.’
‘Are you going to tell Anna what happened?’ ‘No. I’d rather she didn’t know.’