Would Rather vs Would Prefer Exercises
B1-B2 Level
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The negative forms follow the same logic: "I'd rather not go out" (rather + not + base verb) vs "I'd prefer not to go out" (prefer + not to + verb). Both sentences mean the same thing, but would rather is more common in everyday spoken English, while would prefer sounds slightly more formal and polite. In Cambridge B1 and B2 examinations, you may need to transform one structure into the other, so practise switching between them. The contracted form I'd works for both: "I'd rather" and "I'd prefer."
Quick Rule
would rather + base verb | would prefer + to + verb
- 1.I'd rather stay at home tonight. (would rather + base verb)
- 2.She'd prefer to eat at a restaurant. (would prefer + to + verb)
- 3.We'd rather not discuss it right now. (negative: rather + not + base verb)
- 4.He'd rather walk than take the bus. (comparison: rather + verb + than + verb)
- 5.They'd prefer not to travel at night. (negative: prefer + not to + verb)
All 20 questions
Transform each sentence using the structure shown in the prompt. Pay attention to the verb form that follows each structure.
I prefer to stay at home tonight.
Rewrite using 'would rather':
She'd rather eat at home.
Rewrite using 'would prefer':
They prefer to watch films at the cinema.
Rewrite using 'would rather':
He'd rather work from home.
Rewrite using 'would prefer':
We prefer to travel by train.
Rewrite using 'would rather':
I'd rather not go out tonight.
Rewrite using 'would prefer':
She'd prefer not to drive in the rain.
Rewrite using 'would rather':
I prefer to walk rather than drive.
Rewrite using 'would rather ... than':
He'd rather read a book than watch TV.
Rewrite using 'would prefer ... to':
We prefer to eat early rather than late.
Rewrite using 'would rather':
They'd rather take a taxi than walk in the rain.
Rewrite using 'would prefer':
My parents prefer to fly rather than take the train.
Rewrite using 'would rather':
I'd rather have tea.
Rewrite using 'would prefer':
She prefers to cook at home.
Rewrite using 'would rather':
I'd rather not discuss it now.
Rewrite using 'would prefer':
We'd prefer not to wait any longer.
Rewrite using 'would rather':
They'd rather stay at a hotel than camp.
Rewrite using 'would prefer':
He prefers to work alone rather than in a team.
Rewrite using 'would rather':
I'd rather have coffee than tea in the morning.
Rewrite using 'would prefer':
She'd prefer to leave early rather than stay late.
Rewrite using 'would rather':
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