Difference between would rather and had better. Exercise Constructions Would rather and Would prefer. Use of the phrase WOULD RATHER

Sometimes the use of the expressions had better and would rather, as well as the verb prefer, causes difficulties, so let's figure it out. In short, the difference is as follows:

Using the HAD BETTER expression

We use the expression had better when we express our opinion about what the other person should do, how the other should do. Such proposals sometimes look like advice.

You had better go and look with a candle. “Better go and look with a candle.”

You had better apply to Lambert! “You'd better go to Lambert.

Also, often the sentence says what can happen if a person does not do what you say:

She'd better get here soon or she'll miss the opening ceremony. She'd better hurry up or she'll be late for the opening ceremony.

Had better can also be applied to yourself in expressions ‘ it would be better for me' or ' it would be better for us’:

I thought I had better come myself. “I thought I'd better come myself.

I think we had better change the subject before you get yourself overexcited. "I think it's best to change the subject before you get nervous."

Note that we use had better to talk about the present and the future without changing the form.

It's six o'clock. I'd better go now. It's already six o'clock, I'd better leave now. (Present)

You had better not be here tomorrow. "You'd better get out of here by tomorrow!" (Future)

To form a negation with had better, you need to add not after this expression:

I'd better not leave my bag there. “Better not leave your backpack here.

To form an interrogative sentence Had is taken out before the subject.

Had I better speak to Jillian first? “Perhaps I should speak to Gillian first?”

The phrase had better is synonymous with modal verbs and.

Sometimes in colloquial speech, instead of had better, you can hear had the best:

You 'd best come on Monday. There's no one in the office now. You'd better come on Monday. There is no one in the office right now.

The use of the phrase WOULD RATHER.

We will use would rather to express preference:

I’d rather have tea than coffee - I would rather have tea than coffee.

I would rather leave. - I'd rather leave.

Instead of would rather, you can use would sooner (would rather=would sooner)

I would sooner come with you. I feel I must come with you. - I'd rather go with you. I feel like I should go with you.

Would rather be used only after I and WE. (We are talking about our preferences).

If with would rather you want to express a preference that concerns another person, then you need to use the following patterns:

Would rather + person + past tense (for present or future)

I would rather you didn't tell anyone about our plans. “I would like you not to tell anyone about our plans.

Would rather + person + past perfect (for the past)

I would rather you hadn't spent so much money last month - What a pity that you spent so much money last month. (I'd rather you didn't spend it)

Use of the verb PREFER

The verb prefer is synonymous with would rather, but remember how to use it correctly.

Prefer smth. to smth.

I prefer tea to coffee.

prefer doing something to doing something

I prefer drinking tea to drinking coffee.

Prefer to do rather than (do)

I prefer to drink tea rather than (drink) coffee

Fix the rule again and start doing the exercises.

Exercises on had better // would rather // prefer

An exercise 1 . Complete the following sentences using HAD BETTER/´D BETTER and HAD BETTER NOT and an appropriate expression from the following list.

1. I have to be at school in ten minutes. __________
2. You don't look very well. You ________________
3. I'm worried. Tom should have been here by now. I____________________________
4. The restaurant is usually crowded. We________________________
5. I won't have time to go out for lunch. I ____________________________
6. I was very angry with you. You ______________________

An exercise 2. Complete the dialogues using WOULD RATHER (´d rather) or WOULD RATHER NOT (‘d rather not) and the following phrases.

have some hot chocolate, go to Italy, watch a film on TV, go by train, go to school today, say

Frank: Let's go to London by car.

Dan: _______________________________________ (1)

Mikel: Do you prefer to go to Italy or France this summer?

Rachel: _______________________________________ (2)

Ron: What did Alice tell you?

Gil: _______________________________________ (3)

Liz: Do you feel like going to the movies this evening?

Rina: No, ____________________________________ (4)

Nora: What's the matter?

Sheila: I don't feel very well. _________________________ (5)

Vera: Would you like some coffee?

Simon: ________________________________________ (6)

Exercise 3. Rewrite the following sentences using had better or would rather

1. I don't want to play chess. Let's play poker.
2. It isn't a good idea to invite him.
3. I don't want to go to a restaurant. I want to eat at home.
4. Your nails are too long. You should trim them.
5. If I were in your shoes, I would paint that wall yellow.

Exercise 4 Choose the correct answer.

1.You ………………………………… so much yesterday.

a) would rather I didn’t drink b) had better haven’t drunk

c) would rather drunk d) had better not drink

2. ‘Are the children sleepy?’ ‘Yes, they ………………………………………... to bed.

a) would rather go b) have rather go

c) had better go d) would rather have gone

3. You’d better …………………………………. talk to that man.

a) not to talk b) don't talk

c) didn't talk d) didn't talk

4. She’d rather ……………………………… than go to university.

a) work b) worked

c) to work d) have worked

5. I’d rather you ………………………... than went to university.

a) to work b) to work

c) worked d) worked

I'd rather you ………………………………… alone. It was a mistake.

a) lived b) live

c) had lived d) had lived

Answers to exercises.

1. I'd better leave now.
2. You had better go to the doctor.
3. I had better ask his friends if they know where he is.
4. We had better book a table in advance.
5. Had better take a sandwich.
6. You had better not do that again.

1. I would rather go by train.
2. I would rather go to Italy.
3. I would rather not say.
4. I would rather watch a film on TV.
5. I would rather not go to school today.
6. I would rather have some hot chocolate.

1. I would rather play poker.
2. We had better not invite them
3. I would rather eat at home.
4. You had better trim your nails.
5. You had better paint that wall yellow.

Exercise 4. 1d, 2c, 3c, 4a, 5c, 6d

There are many ways to express your preferences in English. Earlier, we talked about the verb prefer, which is translated as "prefer". Today, let's look at another, more colloquial construction - would rather.

So we use would rather when we talk about our own preferences at this particular moment. However, unlike would prefer, where it was possible to talk about the fact that, for example, we would prefer tea now, rather than coffee, would rather cannot be used with items. After with would rather always need to put an action.

I would rather this cake.
(I would have preferred this pie.)

I would rather eat this cake.
I would rather eat this pie.

Let's look at two main types of structures with would rather.

1. Talking to ourselves using would rather

We can use would rather to tell you what we prefer.

Such a phrase would be built like this: I would rather + the first form of the verb.

I would rather buy something expensive but reliable.

Compare two actions with would rather is also possible. Here we need a word than("how").

I would rather buy something expensive but reliable, than something cheap and bad quality.
I would rather buy something expensive but reliable than something cheap and of poor quality.

Would rather can also be shortened to "d rather:

I "d rather buy something expensive but reliable.
I would prefer to buy something expensive but reliable.

Finally, what about negatives? How to say that we would prefer NOT to do something now?

The construction with negation is built like this: I would rather + not + the first form of the verb.

I "d rather not talk about this right now.
I would prefer not talk about it now.

2. Talking about someone else using would rather

Would rather allows us to communicate not only what we would prefer to do ourselves, but also about our wishes regarding the actions of other people! That is, with it, we can say something like: "I would rather you leave." I prefer "I", but leave "you" :).

Such a hidden request is constructed as follows:

Would rather + someone else + past tense verb.

Phrases with this verb are built like this: be (in the right form) + supposed + to + action.

I would rather you left now, sorry.
I'd rather you leave now, I'm sorry.

I "d rather you called me later, please.
I'd rather you call me later, please.

With be would rather is also possible:

I'd rather you were at home on time.
I'd rather you be home on time.

We'd rather he was more polite.
We would have preferred him to be more polite.

To say negation in such a construction, we do this:

I would rather + who + didn't + the first form of the verb.

I "d rather he didn't speak so loudly.
I would prefer him not spoke so loudly.

We'd rather she didn't go out with that tom guy.
We would prefer her not dated this guy named Tom.

Or, if there was a be in the second part:

I would rather + who + wasn't + the first form of the verb.

I "d rather we were at the theater now, not in this night club.
I'd rather we were in a theater now than in a nightclub.

3. Question with would rather

It remains to figure out how to ask a question about preferences. This is done as follows:

Would you rather ____?

Would you rather go to the cinema or watch the movie online?
Would you rather go to the cinema or watch a movie on the Internet?

4. Brief rejection

Finally, would rather can be used to briefly and politely decline in response to someone's offer: I "d rather not ("Better not", "I would not do this", "I would rather not do this."

Would you like to go with us to the concert?
Would you like to go to a concert with us?

I'd rather not, sorry. I have an exam tomorrow.
I'd rather not walk, I'm sorry. I have an exam tomorrow.

Do you want a cup of coffee?
Would you like a cup of coffee?

Thanks, but I "d rather not.
Thanks, but I would not wanted.

Here we met I would rather and looked at how they are used in different designs. Good luck and don't forget to apply what you've learned!

Reinforcement task

Translate the following sentences into English. Leave your answers in the comments below the article.

1. I would prefer that they bring breakfast to my room.
2. I would rather take a taxi than a bus.
3. I would rather not go to the gym today. I'm too tired.
4. I would prefer that he not play the piano at night.
5. Would you rather order soup or salad?
6. I would rather not leave my car here.
7. He would prefer that we did not disturb him.
8. She would prefer that we call her later.

adverb rather can describe the degree of expression of the following adjective or adverb. In this case rather translates as " enough", "enough". In the same meaning, instead of the adverb rather adverb can be used quite, with the difference that quite may have a positive connotation, and rather- negative. However, both adverbs are in most cases interchangeable.

Use with an adjective:

The film was rather good.
The film was enough not bad.

Use with an adverb:

It happened rather quickly.
It is happened enough fast.

note

1. The adverb has the same meaning fairly. However rather has a slightly stronger tone. However, the adverb has an even stronger connotation. very.

2. Unlike most other dialects, rather can also be used with a noun:

It's rather a problem.
It represents some problem.

3. Rather can be used with some verbs:

I rather like it.
me it basically (= to some extent) Like.

Using rather to Express Preference

Rather than

In comparative constructions (when comparing two adjectives, adverbs, nouns, verbs, etc.) the adverb rather can be used with union than to express preferences. As a rule, such a construction is translated into Russian as " better than…", "better...not...".

For example:
Let's take train rather than the bus.
Let's it is better let's go by train but not by bus.

Rather you than me!
It is better you, how I!

When the first part of the comparative construction is expressed by an infinitive with a particle to, infinitive after rather than usually used without particle to. In such cases, it is also possible to use –ing verb forms.

For example:
I decided to write rather than phone/phoning.
I decided it is better write a letter, but not call.

Would rather

Design would rather translates as " would prefer/would prefer", "would like to", etc., and is a synonymous construction would prefer to. After construction would rather followed by an infinitive without a particle to.

For example:
I" d(= I would) rather leave now. (=I" d prefer to leave now.)
I would prefer leave now.

Would you rather stay here or go home? (= Would you prefer to stay here or go home?)
You would prefer stay here or go home?

Would rather + subject + past tense verb

Design would rather can be used to express one person's wishes regarding another person's actions. In this case, you need to use the indicated construction with the verb in the past tense form.

For example:
Don't come today, I would rather you came tomorrow. (= I would prefer you to come tomorrow.)
Don't come today would prefer for you to come tomorrow.

I would rather you posted this letter. (= I would like you to post this letter.)
I would like to send this letter.

To express actions in the past, you can use the verb in the past perfect tense. In Russian, such a difference is not traced.

For example:
I would rather you hadn "t done that. (= I wish you hadn" t done that.)
I would like so you don't do it.

Do you want your speech to become more intense? Then why not pay attention to two useful constructions − had better and would rather? The main thing is to understand what difference between them, and learn how to use these expressions correctly. In this article, we'll take a look at the usage, meaning, and examples that will surely help to introduce this sweet couple into your speech.

HAD BETTER \ WOULD RATHER - difference and usage

When to use had better, and when would rather? Of course we don't understand difference without delving into the meaning and translation of these constructions.

HAD BETTER - can be compared to a modal verb should, since this phrase serves to express advice, recommendations. Most often in the Russian version, the construction sounds like this "You're better..." "He's better..." etc. That is, this is how it literally comes out in translation, if we discard "had". We draw your attention to the fact that "had" in the phrase "had better" does not change in any way and has no reference to the past tense.

WOULD RATHER - this design is also compared with something. Typically this is a verb. "prefer". It doesn't just happen. By itself "would rather" expresses preference. Most often in the context it is a question of choosing between several possible options. Let's delve into the translation of the word "rather". The dictionary will give us some very interesting values: “more willing”, “preferably”, “better”. Generally, "would rather" translate as follows: “better”, “perhaps”, “I would prefer”. And this is no longer advice, but a conscious choice of a person to do or not to do something.

Note that both expressions are used with the initial form of the verb without the particle TO.

HAD BETTER \ WOULD RATHER - difference in examples

Now it's time to look at more examples with had better and would rather so that we will never again be deceived difference between structures.

Examples with had better

Examples with would rather

In cases where it is necessary to use negation with had better or would rather it is enough just to put a negative particle after these constructions NOT. And then just follows the semantic verb without TO.

You'd better not smoke here. You'd better not smoke here.

Surely you noticed that in our examples abbreviations were used - 'd better\'d rather. This is quite normal for colloquial speech.

If you have a question, what is the difference between a modal verb should from design had better, we would like to note that should usually expresses more general advice. Had better It also serves to express a recommendation that is related to a particular situation.

Examples:

You'd better put a raincoat on. The weather is getting worse.- You'd better (should) put on a raincoat. The weather is getting worse.

You should stay at home when it is raining.- You should stay at home when it rains.

It is believed that when using the construction, the speaker hints that something will harm the listener if he does not follow the recommendation. He will catch a cold, get some negative results or suffer in an accident. Should has a more general meaning. With the help of this modal verb, a person simply shares his opinion on what should be done. But, if the advice is not taken into account, nothing supernatural will happen.

We draw your attention to the fact that there may be more complex proposals with a design would rather. The speaker does not always talk about his preferences, but sometimes he needs to say what actions he expects from other people. In this case, after the construction and the person (the second part of the sentence) is used past simple(if the event concerns the present) or past perfect(if the event concerns the past).

Examples:

I'd rather she didn't come. I would rather she didn't come.

I'd rather they had organized a party at home. It would be better if they organized a party at home.

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When we say what we would like to do in a particular situation. In this tutorial, we will look at 2 preference constructs would rather and would prefer, which can be confused, since they have almost the same translation. This should not be done, because after would prefer the infinitive is used with a particle to.

1. I would rather do = I'd rather do - I'd rather ...
2. I would prefer to do = I'd prefer to do - I'd rather...

Remember: I would rather = I would prefer = I would like

EXAMPLES

1. I'd rather stay home tonight. — I'd rather stay at home tonight.
2. I'd prefer to stay home tonight. — I would rather stay at home tonight.

When expressing negation add a particle not:

I would rather NOT go out tonight. I would prefer NOT to leave the house tonight.

You can combine these two designs and get:

I would prefer to stay home tonight rather than go out. I would rather stay at home today than go for a walk.

Here is a funny poem Personal Questions, which will allow you to 100% remember how to politely avoid answering a question that is too personal.

Personal Questions

Where were you born? — I'd rather not say.
Where are you from? — I'd rather not say.

How tall are you? How old are you?
How much do you weigh?
I'd rather not say.

How much rent do you pay? — I'd rather not say.
How much do you make? — I'd rather not say.
Why aren't you married? - I'd rather not say.
Why don't you have children? — I'd rather not say.
Where were you last night? Why weren't you home?

Did you stay out late? Did you come home alone?
Did you have a good time? Did you see a good play?
Did you go to a concert?

I'd rather not say. “I would prefer not to speak.

Did you remember how to avoid answering a personal question?- Of course, say - I'd rather not say.

Also, when expressing one's desires (= preferences), the construction is often used - I would like. Do you remember how it is translated? Test yourself.

Choose the correct translation option.

So, I would like translated as I would like, I would prefer. Do not confuse with the expression I like- I like

I like coffee. (I like coffee) VS I would like coffee. (I'd rather have coffee.)

Exercises on Would like to/ Would prefer to/ Would rather

Exercise 1. Say what you'd rather do. Use construction I would like to and preposition instead of - instead of

Example. James would like to read a book instead of working in the garden. — Jace would prefer read a book instead of to work in the garden.

Comment: After the preposition instead of the gerund is put - working

1. James/ read the book/ work in the garden.
2. Chris / play football / do one's homework.
3. Jane and Mary / sunbathe / clean up.
4. Laura / watch TB / wash up.
5. Nick and Peter / ride one's bicycles / play the computer.
6. Mr Robertson /drink tea /make a bird house.
7. Mrs Smith / talk over the phone / cook.
8. Irene / write a letter / go to work.
9. The children / swim / repair the car.
10. The dog / walk about the field / look through the window.

Exercise 2. Now do the same exercise using the construction I'd prefer to…. rather than

Example. James would prefer to read a book rather than work in the garden. — Jace would prefer read a book , but not to work in the garden.