"I'd prefer, I'd rather.."

Question

I'm involved in a debate about the best and most apposite way to teach this. Any opinions?

Answer 1

My Collins English Dictionary gives...

Prefer to mean: to like better. eg: Most people prefer television to reading books

Rather to mean: More willingly eg I would rather go straight home

Thesaurus (synonyms) Prefer: like better, favour, go for, pick,fancy. opt for, incline towards, be partial to.

Thesaurus: (synonyms) Rather: preferably, sooner more readily more willingly

Practical use: I agree with Gregory that you could simply provide them with some examples which you consider would best illustrate their use and through the process of planning/preparing which ones you will use I am sure that you will see if there are infact any major differences. I think Ian is also correct in saying that these two words are very similar in meaning.The differences that exist just concern their structure and the exact way in which they are used.

I have just thought of some sentences;

I would rather go to the fair than to the circus.

(Stating a preference using a comparison of two different choices) This needs the second part starting with the word than .... John Birmingham wrote a book for young children called: ''Would you rather.....?'' In it he gives children many examples of choices between 2 things. This is how the word rather is generally used in English,

I would prefer to go to the fair (This is a complete statement.This doesn't need a second clause unlike the first word ''rather'' in order to make complete sense!) There are exceptions!

The word rather usually needs the word than followed by the thing you would rather choose except when the choice is implied through the question: For example:

Q Would you rather have (choose) an orange or an apple? A I would rather have an apple

The word prefer can be used in a simple or a comparative phrase (my terminology)

Simple I prefer dogs Comparative: I prefer dogs to cats

I hope this helps

• I tend to think of them according to their dictionary definitions. (was beginning to wonder if maybe I needed to attend class) Thanks!! - territurtle Feb 8, 2012
• Great post!! I would add that the phrase, "I would rather you didn't" strikes me as stronger than "I prefer you wouldn't." - territurtle Feb 8, 2012
• Thank you very much Terri :) - FELIZ77 Feb 8, 2012
• Nice on Fleliz, all the answers were helpful. The class went well and I didn't over-complicate things either:-) - Birdland Feb 12, 2012
• Yes, I agree Terri, that rather sounds much stronger in this kind of context - FELIZ77 Feb 12, 2012

Answer 2

I prefer dark chocolate.

I would rather have dark chocolate. / I would prefer to have chocolate.

The main difference is in structure and not meaning - in my opinion.

link text

How English Works by Michael Swann one of the best teachers of English

• That, oddly enough, is my position and I haven't been strongly persuaded otherwise :-) - Birdland Feb 8, 2012
• I agree. I was wondering if I was missing some subtle distinction! - MLucie Feb 8, 2012

Answer 3

Who would the crowd be to whom you are teaching? Is it a native English class for elementary schools, or for adult ESL students. It depends, you have to change your methods for different groups. Personally I would go for the middle road and give several example sentences to show how they are different.

• Great Idea, Gregory. I would agree with you. Provided the examples used are excellent, the students should be able to gain an understanding of their appropriate use :) - FELIZ77 Feb 7, 2012
• Hi Gregory, They're adults and yes, I agree about changing methods for who they are. - Birdland Feb 8, 2012

Answer 4

I think the core difference lies in the fact that preference is just a general choice or opinion, while "rather" is when you actually have something, what you would want it to be. I don't know if that makes sense, but that's how I interpret it.

• Love your avatar Corvenzo! You are most definitely the poster child for smiles ;-)) - territurtle Feb 8, 2012
• thanks territurtle. that is what my face looks like when i study spanish. - corvenzo Feb 8, 2012

Answer 5

Ian-hill:

Really?

What about :

I would prefer to have dark chocolate

I would rather have dark chocolate.

EDIT: Added the text in bold.

• Chileno, I would rather ''have'' dark chocolate :) - FELIZ77 Feb 7, 2012
• Me too, at least 60% cocoa ;-) - Gregory84 Feb 7, 2012
• Felizz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks I forgot,,,,the point I wanted to make! :/ - chileno Feb 7, 2012
• I'm still at work ;) - chileno Feb 7, 2012
• Chileno, no worries :) No hay de que :) - FELIZ77 Feb 7, 2012
View 3 more commments >>

Answer 6

I'm late, as usual.

Here's the practical difference:

I'd rather some verb goes here

I'd prefer either a verb infinitive or a noun goes here

Answer 7

Thanks folks. Off to class. I have a plan and will tell you how it worked later.