HOW TO EXPRESS PREFERENCES

Teacher: Ahmed faid

• We often use words like prefer, would prefer, would rather to
talk or ask about preferences.

• We use prefer when we talk about general likes and dislikes.

• We use would prefer and would rather when we talk about
specific choices in particular situations.
1. Prefer + “-ing” or noun
2. Would prefer + to inf or noun
3. Would rather + “bare inf”

Structures to state preference

4. "I prefer living/ to live on my own.“
5. “I prefer chocolate ice-cream”
6. “I would prefer to go to the cinema.”
7. “I would prefer a beach holiday”
8. “I’d rather go home now”
 If the verb after prefer is in the negative, use the infinitive
with to.
She would prefer not to drive at night.

Different prepositions to state the choice.

1) Prefer + “ing” +to + “ing” ( general preference)

“I'd prefer living in a city to living in the country.”

“I prefer chocolate to strawberry icecream”
2) would prefer + “to inf”+rather than + “bare inf”( specific reference)

It's such nice weather – I'd prefer to sit in the garden rather

than watch TV.
3) Would rather + “bare inf”+than+ “bare inf” ( specific reference)

“I would (I'd) rather talk to him in person than call him on the

phone.

 You can check your understanding as you match the questions
below with suitable endings and having a conversation.
Do you prefer …..? Would you prefer to ...? Would you rather ....?
E.G:
0) texting or talking on the phone? Why?

a) Do you prefer texting or talking on the phone? Why?

b) I prefer talking on the phone because it’s more personal than texting.
Having a conversation on the phone is unique every time; besides, it is
quicker because you do not have to wait for an answer.

1. to go on a package tour or a cruise ? Why?

2. watching a film at home or at the cinema? Why?

3. being a home-loving or a party-loving ?  Why?

4. go on holiday with your friends or with your family? Why?

5. to work at home or in an office? Why?

6. be an only child or have brothers and sisters? Why?

7. being good-looking and poor or being ugly and rich?

8. to live in the past or in the future?

9. living with no mobile phone or living with no friends?

10. find your perfect job or find the love of your dreams?

11. know every time someone lies to you or have everyone believe

everything you say?

12. Taking care of a cat or taking care of a dog?