Future and Modals : Unit 29, I’d rather . . .

Ann likes to sit on the floor. She doesn’t
want to sit on a chair. So she says:

I’d rather sit on the floor. (= I would prefer
to sit on the floor.)

I’d rather . . . = I would rather.

A.      I would rather ( do something) = I would prefer ( to do somethng ) :

I’d rather (I would rather)

Do . . . stay . . . have . . . be . . .

I’d rather not (I would rather not)

Do . . . stay . . . have . . . be . . .

Would you rather

Do . . . stay . . . have . . . be . . .

-          I don’t really want to go out. I’d rather stay home. (= I’d prefer to stay home)

-          “Shall we go now?”     “No, not yet. I’d rather wait until later.”

-          I want to go now but Tom would rather wait until later

-          I’m feeling tired. I’d rather not go out this evening. (= I’d prefer not to go out)

-          Sue is feeling tired. She’d rather not go out this evening.

-          We’re not hungry. We’d rather not eat yet.

-          “Do you want to go out this evening?”    “I’d rather not.”  (= I’d rather not go out)

-          “Would you rather have milk or juice?”    “Juice, please.”

-          What would you rather do? Go to the movies or watch a video at home?

B.      We say “I’d rather do something” (not “to do something”) :

-          I’d rather sit on the floor. (not “I’d rather to sit”)

-          Sue would rather not go out. (not “would rather not to go”)

But we say “I’d prefer to do something” :

-          I’d prefer to sit on the floor.

-          Sue would prefer not go out. (not “would rather not to go”)

But we say “I’d prefer to do something” :

-          I’d prefer to sit on the floor.

-          Sue would prefer not to go out.

C.      You can say “ I’d rather do . . . than . . . “ :

-          I’d rather go out than stay home.

-          I’d rather have a dog than a cat.

-          We’d rather go to the movies than watc a video at home.