Expressing likes desires and preferencias

Expressing Likes and Preferences

(would rather, like, prefer)

A.  There is more than one way to express your likes and preferences.  You already learned would rather.  Study like and prefer in the chart below.

Would Rather - Structure

Use would rather plus the simple form of the verb. It's common to use would ratherin the shortened I'd rather form in positive statements. Use Would rather to refer to the present moment or a future moment in time. Here are the structures:

Positive

Subject + would rather ('d rather) + verb

Peter'd rather spend time on the beach.
I would rather learn a new language than study math.

Question

Would + subject + rather + verb 

Examples	Construction
I would rather work inside than (work) outside. I would rather get paid hourly than be on salary.	would rather + base verb (Note: would rather is used with than)
I like to work outside. I like working outside. I prefer getting paid hourly. I prefer to get paid hourly. I prefer working inside to (working) outside. I prefer getting paid hourly to being on salary.	like + gerund or infinitive
	prefer + gerund or infinitive (Note: When two things are compared using prefer, to should be used.)

(Note: If the same verb is used in both phrases, it doesn’t need to be repeated.)

B. Write sentences about your preferences, using like or don’t like.

1. work inside        ___________________________________________________

2. work outside      ___________________________________________________

3. get paid hourly   ___________________________________________________

4. be on salary       ___________________________________________________

5. work nights        ___________________________________________________

6. work days                   ___________________________________________________

7. work at home     ___________________________________________________

8. use a machine    ___________________________________________________

9. type                   ___________________________________________________

10. write reports    ___________________________________________________

C.  Write sentences about each of the following groups of phrases, usingprefer or would rather.

1. work inside / work outside

__________________________________________________________________

2. get paid hourly / be on salary

__________________________________________________________________

3. work nights / work days

__________________________________________________________________

4. work overtime / spend time with (my) family

__________________________________________________________________

5. work with my hands / work with machines

__________________________________________________________________

6. work with other people / work alone

__________________________________________________________________

7. use a computer / write by hand

__________________________________________________________________

D.  Answer each of the following questions with a complete sentence.

1. Do you like to work in the morning or the evenings?

__________________________________________________________________

2. Do you prefer to have a male or a female manager?

__________________________________________________________________

3. Would you rather work in an office or a factory?

__________________________________________________________________

4. Would you rather drive to work or walk to work?

__________________________________________________________________

5. Would you rather work for a big company or a small company?

__________________________________________________________________

6. Do you want to retire at 65 or 70?

__________________________________________________________________

7. Would you rather work full-time or part-time?

__________________________________________________________________

8. Would you rather own your own business or work for someone else?

Example