I'd Rather and I'd Prefer
Express preferences with would rather and would prefer, including preferences about another person's action.
Learning Objective
I'd Rather and I'd Prefer
Use the correct verb pattern after would rather and would prefer in present, future, and other-subject constructions.
Clear Explanation
Use would rather + bare infinitive, but would prefer + to-infinitive or a noun. For another person's present or future action, would rather is followed by a past form.
Form and Structure
would rather + base verb; would prefer + to-infinitive/noun; would rather + subject + past
“I'd rather stay at home.”
The past form after I'd rather you... expresses modal distance, not past time. For a past preference, use would rather have + past participle.
Meaning and Use
Same subject
Use a bare infinitive after would rather and a to-infinitive after would prefer.
“She would rather walk but would prefer to leave early.”
Different subject
Use a past form after would rather when someone else performs the desired action.
“We'd rather they waited outside.”
Comparing options
Use than after would rather and rather than after would prefer where needed.
“I'd rather walk than drive.”
Common Errors and Meaning Traps
I'd rather to wait.
I'd rather wait.
Would rather takes a bare infinitive for the same subject.
I'd prefer meet tomorrow.
I'd prefer to meet tomorrow.
Would prefer takes a to-infinitive in this pattern.
I'd rather you come tomorrow.
I'd rather you came tomorrow.
Use a past form for a present or future preference involving another subject.
Guided Practice
Use the grammar in context
“I'd prefer to meet online.”
“I'd rather you called before visiting.”
Compare two options with both structures and add one sentence about what you want another person to do.
Quick Recap
Use would rather + bare infinitive, but would prefer + to-infinitive or a noun. For another person's present or future action, would rather is followed by a past form.
Use a bare infinitive after would rather and a to-infinitive after would prefer.
The past form after I'd rather you... expresses modal distance, not past time. For a past preference, use would rather have + past participle.
Would rather takes a bare infinitive for the same subject.
Independent Mastery Check
Complete these four checks before taking the quiz. If one feels difficult, return to the matching section and try again.
Explain the core rule in your own words without looking back at the lesson.
Find the target form in “I'd rather stay at home.” and explain what it communicates in this context.
Explain why “I'd rather wait.” is the recommended revision for “I'd rather to wait.”.
Compare two options with both structures and add one sentence about what you want another person to do.
Related Grammar Lessons
Aim for at least 5 out of 6 in the quiz below. For every missed answer, read the explanation, return to the relevant section, and try the quiz again.
Which statement best explains I'd Rather and I'd Prefer?
Now Put It Into Practice — Out Loud
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