1. EXPRESSING PREFERENCE
I WOULD PREFER/ WOULD RATHER
(I’D PREFER/ I’D RATHER)

2. EXPRESSING PREFERENCE
I WOULD PREFER/ WOULD RATHER
I never take the bus. I prefer
to walk/walking .
It’s late. I’d prefer to turn
back.
I WOULD
RATHER+INF
(sin TO)
It’s late. I’d rather turn back.I never take the bus. I’d
rather walk .

3. 1. I don’t save money. I prefer to spend/spending it.
(general preference)
2. I don’t want to go out tonight. I’d prefer to stay in.
(particular preference)
- Structure WOULD PREFER has TO+ INFINITIVE
- Structure WOULD RATHER has INFINITIVE WITHOUT TO.
I’d prefer to leave now
I’d rather leave now.
EXPRESSING PREFERENCE
I WOULD PREFER/ WOULD RATHER

4. Read this example:
1. I don’t like this hotel. I would have preferred to go to an appartment.
- Can the situation change?
No, because the action is done (PAST TIME)
- Does the sentence have an OBJECT?
No, the subject is the same for both actions.
Read these examples: what’s the diference?
a. I’d prefer YOUR MOTHER/HER to come another day.
b. I’d prefer YOUR MOTHER/HER to have come another day.
In a., the action has not happened yet. (present)
In b, this action has happened. (past)
- Does the sentence has an object?
Yes. YOUR MOTHER/HER (direct complement)
EXPRESSING PREFERENCE
I WOULD PREFER/ WOULD RATHER
IN THE PAST

5. I didn’t like Delhi. I’D
HAVE PREFERRED TO
GO to Rome.
WE lost the match. I’d
HAVE PREFERRED
YOU TO HAVE
PLAYED with us.

6. The last examples:
I’d prefer YOUR MOTHER/HER to come another day.
I’d prefer YOUR MOTHER/HER to have come another day.
Can be expressed with another sructure:
I’d prefer IT IF your mother CAME another day. (2nd CONDITIONAL)
I’d prefer IT IF your mother HAD COME another day. (3rd CONDITIONAL)
In both cases, we use two conditionals, the 2nd and 3rd respectively.
EXPRESSING PREFERENCE
I WOULD PREFER/ WOULD RATHER

7. I’d rather that she CAME in my car. I’d rather that she HAD COMNE in my car.

8. CHANGE THESE EXAMPLES USING the structure WOULD RATHER + inf:
1. I’d prefer to leave now
2. I’d prefer your mother to come another day.
3. I’d prefer your mother to have come another day.
ANSWERS
1. I’d rather leave now.
2. I’d rather (THAT) your mother CAME anoher day (object + simple past)
3. I’d rather (THAT) your mother HAD COME another day (object + past perfect)
EXPRESSING PREFERENCE
I WOULD RATHER+inf. Without to

9. USE OF ENGLISH, PART 4:
WISH AND REGRET, ADVICE AND
PREFERENCE.

10. 1. I’d love to know how John is getting on.
KNEW
I……………………………………………………….how John was getting on.
2. You should take an umbrella with you.
BETTER
You…………………………………………………………..an umbrella with you.
3. I think taxes should be increased.
TIME
It ……………………………………………………………….increased.
4. It was wrong of you to say that
SHOULDN’T
You………………………………………………………that.
5. I regret not visiting the Vatican when I was in Rome.
ONLY
If ……………………………………………………Vatican when I was in Rome.
WISH I KNEW
HAD BETTER TAKE
IS TIME TAXES WERE
SHOULDN’T HAVE
SAID
ONLY I HAD VISITED
USE OF ENGLISH, PART 4 (1-5)

11. 1. I’d prefer you to get home early tonight.
RATHER
I………………………………………………………home early tonight.
2. It’s a pity the car is so expensive.
WISH
I…………………………………………………………………..so expensive.
3. I couldn’t post the letter yesterday and now it is too late.
WISH
I……………………………………………………the letter yesterday.
4. I don’t want to do something as dangerous as that
PREFER
………………………….…………………something as dangerous as that.
USE OF ENGLISH, PART 4, 1-4
‘D RATHER YOU GOT
WISH THE CAR WAS/WERE
NOT
WISH I HAD POSTED
WOULD/’D PREFER NOT TO DO

12. IF ONLY/ I WISH
1. IF ONLY I ……………………………………………..THE ANSWER NOW
FIND
2. IF ONLY I ……………………………………………….THE BOSS YESTERDAY
TALK
3. I WISH IT………………………………………………..SO LATE. I DON´T WANT TO LEAVE.
BE
4. I WISH I……………………………………………………MY HOMEWORK YESTERDAY.
TODAY I CAN’T.
DO
USE OF ENGLISH, PART 4.
FOUND
HAD TALKED
WEREN’T
HAD DONE

13. 1. I’D RATHER YOU…………………………………………………THAT TERRIBLE BOY!
NOT LOVE
2. I’D RATHER HE……………………………………………………….TO THE THEATRE WITH
ME THIS SATURDAY
COME
3. I’D RATHER WE …………………………………………………..THE MUSEUM LAST
WEEK.
VISIT
USE OF ENGLISH, PART 4.
DIDN’T LOVE
CAME
HAD VISITED

14. 3. I don’t want to do something as dangerous as that
PREFER
I ………………………….……………………………………………………….SOMETHING AS
DANGEROUS AS THAT
4. The doctors say hat she will recover from the illness in about three weeks
TAKE
The doctors say
that……………………………………………………………………………………three
weeks to recover from the illness.
5. After a few minutes the interview was over and I left.
LASTED
The interview…………………………………………………………………………….and I left.
WOULD/’D PREFER NOT TO DO
IT WILL TAKE HER
LASTED (FOR) A FEW MINUTES
USE OF ENGLISH, PART 4.
REVISION – FRI 11

15. 1. You don’t listen and that’s why you make so many mistakes
COMMIT
IF only ………………………….…………………………………………….so many mistakes
2. I should not have spent all my money in those shoes.
WISH
I…………………………………………………………………all that money in those shoes.
3. I’m not happy that they phoned me so late at night.
RATHER
I………………………………………………………………………………………………..called
me so late at night.
YOU DIDN’T COMMIT
WISH I HADN’T SPENT
WOULD/’D RATHER THEY HADN’T
USE OF ENGLISH, PART 4.
REVISION – FRI 11