How to Use “Would Rather”

How to Use Would Rather in English (Preferences Made Clear)

Every day, we make small choices.

• Coffee or tea?
• Stay in or go out?
• Work from home or go to the office?

In English, one of the most natural ways to talk about preferences is with the structure would rather.If you say that you would rather do something, you mean that you prefer to do it.

In this lesson, you will learn how to use would rather correctly, all the main structures, and how to use it naturally in speaking, writing, and exams (B2 First, C1 Advanced).

Let’s start with the basics.

Basic meaning

would rather = would prefer

• I’d rather stay at home than go to the cinema
• I’d rather live in the country than in a big city.
• I’d rather take a taxi than drive in this traffic.

Structure 1: talking about your own preference

Affirmative

subject + would rather + bare infinitive + than + bare infinitive

• She would rather eat out than cook tonight.
• They would rather walk than wait for the bus.
• He would rather spend money than save it.

Negative

subject + would rather not + bare infinitive

• I’d rather not talk about work tonight.
• We’d rather not travel during the rush hour.
• She would rather not discuss it today.

Questions

Would + subject + rather + bare infinitive … ?

• Would you rather have tea or coffee?
• Would you rather work from home or in the office?
• Would you rather travel by plane or by train?

Structure 2: when you want another person to do something

This is a very important and very exam-friendly structure.

subject + would rather + person + past simple

We use it to mean – “I would prefer it if someone did something.”

• I’d rather you didn’t ask me that.
• She would rather he called before coming.
• Would you rather my husband took you to the doctor?
• He’d rather you didn’t mention it to anyone.

Even though the verb looks past, the meaning is present or future.

When do we use would rather?

We use it to express personal preferences, compare two options, and discuss choices and hypothetical situations.

• I’d rather go to the mountains than to the seaside.
• If I had the choice, I’d rather live in a house with a garden.
• Michael would rather play tennis than basketball.

Common mistake

I would rather to stay at home.

I would rather stay at home.

Remember: would rather + bare infinitive (no “to”)

Using would rather in speaking, essays, articles and reviews shows range and control of grammar and sounds more natural and fluent than always using prefer.

Quick summary

✔ would rather = would prefer

✔ use the bare infinitive (no to)

✔ use past simple after would rather when talking about another person

✔ great for choices, preferences, and comparisons

Do the exercise to perfect your knowledge:

If you really want to learn English but don’t know how to do it and where to start, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book an online English lesson with one of our certified and experienced English teachers and take a test and consultation! Tap the banner to learn more!