Exercise 1
Which do you prefer? Write sentences using ‘I prefer (something) to (something else)’. Put the verb into the correct form where necessary.
1 (drive / travel by train)
…………………….
2 (basketball / football)
I prefer …………………….
3 (go to the cinema / watch DVDs at home)
I ……………………. to ……………………. at home.
4 (be very busy / have nothing to do)
I …………………….
Now rewrite sentences 3 and 4 using the structure ‘I prefer to (do something)’.
5 (1) …………………….
6 (3) I prefer to …………………….
7 (4) …………………….
Answers
1
1 I prefer driving to travelling by train.
2 I prefer basketball to football.
3 I prefer going to the cinema to watching DVDs at home.
3 I prefer being very busy to having nothing to do.
5 I prefer to go to the cinema rather than watch DVDs at home.
6 I prefer to be very busy rather than have nothing to do.
Exercise 2
Complete the sentences. Sometimes you need one word, sometimes more.
|
1 |
Shall we walk home? |
……………………. get a taxi. |
|
2 |
Do you want to eat now? |
I’d prefer ……………………. till later. |
|
3 |
Would you like to watch TV? |
I’d ……………………. to listen to some music. |
|
4 |
Do you want to go to a restaurant? |
I’d rather ……………………. at home. |
|
5 |
Let’s leave now. |
……………………. wait a few minutes. |
|
6 |
What about a game of tennis? |
I’d prefer ……………………. for a swim. |
|
7 |
I think we should decide now. |
I’d ……………………. think about it for a while. |
|
8 |
Would you like to sit down? |
……………………. to stand. |
|
9 |
Do you want me to come with you? |
I’d rather ……………………. alone. |
Now use the same ideas to complete these sentences using than and rather than.
10 I’d rather ……………………. a taxi …………………….
11 I’d prefer ……………………. for a swim …………………….
12 I’d rather ……………………. at home …………………….
13 I’d prefer ……………………. about it for a while …………………….
14 I’d rather ……………………. some music …………………….
Answers
2
1 I’d rather
2 to wait
3 prefer
4 eat/stay
5 I’d rather (wait) / I’d prefer to (wait)
6 to go
7 I’d rather (think) / I’d prefer to (think)
8 I’d prefer to stand.
9 go
11 I’d prefer to go for a swim rather than play tennis.
12 I’d rather eat at home than go to a restaurant.
13 I’d prefer to think about it for a while rather than decide now.
14 I’d rather listen to some music than watch TV.
Exercise 3
Complete the sentences using would you rather I … .
1 Are you going to make dinner or ……………………. ?
2 Are you going to tell Anna what happened or would you rather ……………………. ?
3 Are you going to do the shopping or ……………………. ?
4 Are you going to phone Tanya or ……………………. ?
Answers
3
1 would you rather I made it
2 (would you rather) I told her
3 would you rather I did it
4 would you rather I phoned her
Exercise 4
Use your own ideas to complete these sentences.
1 ‘Shall I tell Anna what happened?’ ‘No, I’d rather she ……………………. know.’
2 Do you want me to go now or would you rather I ……………………. here?
3 Do you want to go out this evening or would you rather ……………………. at home?
4 This is a private matter. I’d rather you ……………………. tell anybody else.
5 I don’t want to make a decision without jack and Sue. I’d rather they ……………………. here.
6 A: Do you mind if I put some music on?
B: I’d rather you ……………………. . I’m trying to study.
Answers
4
1 didn’t
2 stayed/remained/waited
3 stay
4 didn’t
5 were
6 didn’t