Grammar

Presentation
• Woul d like
• Woul d prefer
• Woul d rather
 Wo u l d like:

We use the modal expression ‘ w o u l d

like’ in English to talk about our
desires and wants.

Wo u l d like is a more formal way to say

“want.”

Here are some

1. I w o ul d like to take a trip.

2.Sandra and her husband

w o ul d like to have a
wedding.
3.Carl w o u l d like a
raise, but he’s too
nervous to ask his
boss.
“ Wo u l d like” can be used for
either present or future desires.

● Present Tense (or general) desires:

1. I would like a house by the ocean.
2. They wo uld like to improve their
English.
The students would like to take a
3.
• D e si r e s for the
br e a k .
Future:
I would like to take an Italian
someday.
1.
class
2. M y family would like to visit San Diego
 The F O R M of w o u l d like

In the expression would like, which

wo rd is an auxiliary and which wo rd is
a verb?
Auxiliary = Verb =
This means that you can use ‘ w o u l d like’ with
any subject in English. It’s not necessary to
change W O U L D.
‘ Wo u l d like’ can be fo l l o wed by a noun or a
verb. If you want to use a verb after the
expression ‘ w o u l d like’ it must be in the
infinitive.
The infinitive =
TO + si mp l e
fo rm of
verb

In English we say . . .

I would like TO W I N the lottery.

NOT . . .

I would like W I N the lottery.

 Contractions with w o u l d

A mericans often use contractions in English,

especially when speaking. Pronouns can be
contracted with W O U L D to make the
follo win g :

L I K E

.
 Practice:
Say the following sentences using W O U L D
LIKE:

1. Marla wants to find a better

paying job.

2.They want to buy a new car soon.

3. I want a new, more comfortable

sofa.
 Wo u l d prefer &
Wo u l d rather
● We use the modal expressions
“ w o u l d prefer” and “ w o u l d rather”
to talk about our preferences in
English.

● These two expression mean the

same thing and are synonyms for
the verb “prefer.”
 As with “ w o u l d like,” “ w o u l d
prefer” and “ w o u l d rather” can be used for
present or future
preferences.

Here are some Examples . . .

Present (or general) preferences:
1. A. Wo u l d you prefer coffee or tea? B.
I think I wo u l d prefer coffee this
mo rni ng.
Future preferences:
1. A. We wo u l d rather live near the beach
than in the mountains.
2. We wo u l d prefer to live near the
beach.
 The forms
of w o ul d prefer
& w o ul d
r
ather

1. Wo u l d Prefer:
●Wo u l d prefer can be used
with a noun or a verb:
They wo u l d prefer coffee.
They wo u l d prefer to drink
coffee.

**N ot i ce that if you use a verb w i t h w o u l d prefer

the verb is in the i n f i n i t i v e form.
 The negative
of “ w o u l d prefer”
● Use wo uld prefer N O T + infinitive
Examples . . .
1. They would prefer N O T to drive
because they don’t know this area
well.

1. She would prefer N O T to take classes in

the afternoon. The morning is
more convenient for her to study.
The negative of “ w o u l d rather”
● Use wo uld rather N O T + simple form
Examples . . .
1. We would rather N O T go out
tonight because we have to get
up early
tomorrow.

1. She would rather N O T buy a house

in this area because it’s too far
from her work.
 C o ntracti o ns:
We often use contractions with “ w o u l d prefer” and
“ w o u l d rather.” Pronouns
can be contracted with W O U L D to make
the f o l l o wi n g :

I would prefer/rather = I’d prefer / I’d

rather
W e w o ul d p refer/rather we’ d rather

Yo u’ d p refer / Yo u’ d rather
Practice . . .
1. W o uld y o u p refer to eat Italian fo o d
or Chinese food?
2. Wo u l d you rather travel to India or
China?
3. W o uld y o u p refer to w o rk on line or
go to the company?
4. Wo u l d you rather have a cat, a fish,
or a dog?
For more
p ractice . . .
Click on or go to the
following website. D o this
activity with a partner, if
possible:

http://www.quia.com/quiz/73715
6.html