Expressing Preference

Stating preferences is a way to state or to express something preferably. It can also be
used to offer someone a choice politely. Take a look at the following expressions.

Offering (Asking for) a choice politely	Stating preferences
a) Prefer … Which do you prefer, the polyester or the silk? Which do you prefer, calling directly or sending a letter?	a) Prefer + Verb ing + to +Verb ing I prefer the silk to the polyester. I prefer calling directly to sending a letter.
b) Like… Which one do you like, a smoking or nonsmoking area? Which do you like, jogging or cycling?	b) Like+ Verb ing + better than + Verb ing I like a non-smoking area better than a smoking one. I like cycling better than jogging.
c) Would rather … Would you rather have a fresh coke or an orange juice? Would you rather live in a big city or visit it?	c) Would rather +Verb 1 + than + Verb1 I’d rather have an orange juice than (have) a fresh coke. I’d rather visit a big city than live there.

I'd rather you did something

When you want somebody to do something, you can say "I'd rather you did something":

• "Shall I stay here?" "I'd rather you came with us."
• "Shall I tell them the news?" "No. I'd rather they didn't know."
• "Shall I tell them or would you rather they didn't know?"

In this structure we use the past (came, did etc.), but the meaning is present or future, not past.
Compare:

• I'd rather cook the dinner now.

but

• I'd rather you cooked the dinner now. (not "I'd rather you cook")

The negative is "I'd rather you didn't...":

• I'd rather you didn't tell anyone what I said.
• "Do you mind if I smoke?" "I'd rather you didn't."