Can you use prefer and would rather correctly? Test your understanding with this grammar exercise. Fill in the blanks.
1"Shall I tell her?" "I ..............."
Wrong!
Use "would rather you didn't" to say that you prefer another person not to do something.
2"Shall we go by train?" "I would rather ..............."
Wrong!
Use the base verb "drive" after "would rather" when the subject is the same.
3I would rather you ............... on Monday.
Wrong!
Use "didn't come" after "would rather you" to express a preference about another person's action.
4I am tired. I prefer ............... out tonight.
Wrong!
Use "not to go" after "prefer" in this negative infinitive pattern.
5I am tired. I would rather ............... out tonight.
Wrong!
Use "not go" after "would rather" when the subject is the same.
6I prefer ............... to walking.
Wrong!
Use the gerund "riding" before "to walking" in the pattern "prefer doing A to doing B."
7I prefer to drive ............... take the train.
Wrong!
Use "rather than" after "prefer to" when you compare two actions.
8I prefer the country ............... the city.
Wrong!
Use "to" in the pattern "prefer A to B."
9I would rather you ............... so early.
Wrong!
Use "didn't leave" after "would rather you" to express a preference about another person's action.
10"I will repair your bike tomorrow." "I ............... you did it today."
Wrong!
Use "would rather" before a clause with a past form to express a present preference.
11It is getting late. I would rather ............... now.
Wrong!
Use the base verb "leave" after "would rather" when the subject is the same.
12It is getting late. I would rather you ............... now.
Wrong!
Use "left" after "would rather you" to express a preference about another person's action.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- “Shall I tell her?” “I would rather you didn’t“
- “Shall we go by train?” “I would rather drive“
- I would rather you didn’t come on Monday.
- I am tired. I prefer not to go out tonight.
- I am tired. I would rather not go out tonight.
- I prefer riding to walking.
- I prefer to drive rather than take the train.
- I prefer the country to the city.
- I would rather you didn’t leave so early.
- “I will repair your bike tomorrow.” “I would rather you did it today.”
- It is getting late. I would rather leave now.
- It is getting late. I would rather you left now.
