Today’s online mini-grammar lesson by Scrambled Eggs English School in Milan is on using would rather to express preference.
Would rather, which can be shortened to ‘d rather, is a more elegant way to say ‘prefer.’ We also use it as a formal way to express desire.

Same Subject
When the subject in the sentence is the same, would rather is followed by a pure infinitive (without ‘to’). We use this structure to talk about our own preferences.
Example: What do you want for dinner tonight? An Indian or Chinese takeaway? I’d rather have an Indian takeaway.
Different Subjects
When there are two different subjects in the sentence, would rather is followed by the past simple (to express preference in the present or future). We use this structure to talk about what we want someone else to do.
Example: Who should give the presentation to the client next week? I’d rather you gave the presentation as you know more about the product.
Are you ready to practice this grammatical structure? Try our quiz below!
I'd rather...
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Rewrite the sentences using the structure ‘would rather’ like in the example. Use the contraction I’d in each response.
Example: ‘I should go food shopping today, but I’ll go tomorrow.’ would become ‘I’d rather go food shopping tomorrow.’
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Question 1 of 8
1. Question
1. I would like you to take the call (and not me).
- (I'd rather you took the call and not me, I'd rather you took the call and not me., I'd rather you took the call, I'd rather you took the call.)
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Question 2 of 8
2. Question
2. I would like to go to the cinema.
- (I'd rather go to the cinema., I'd rather go to the cinema)
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Question 3 of 8
3. Question
3. Can you answer the phone?
- (I'd rather you answered the phone., I'd rather you answered the phone)
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Question 4 of 8
4. Question
4. I think it is better to go to the beach (and not the pool).
- (I'd rather go to the beach and not go to the pool., I'd rather go to the beach and not the pool, I'd rather go to the beach., I'd rather go to the beach)
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Question 5 of 8
5. Question
5. I will visit my parents on Monday because I am busy this weekend.
- (I'd rather visit my parents on Monday because I am busy this weekend., I'd rather visit my parents on Monday because I am busy this weekend, I'd rather visit my parents on Monday., I'd rather visit my parents on Monday)
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Question 6 of 8
6. Question
6. Can you walk the dog?
- (I'd rather you walked the dog., I'd rather you walked the dog)
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Question 7 of 8
7. Question
7. The project is due next week but I’m going to finish it this week.
- (I'd rather finish the project this week., I'd rather finish the project this week, I'd rather finish the project this week and not next week., I'd rather finish the project this week and not next week)
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Question 8 of 8
8. Question
8. Can we meet at 13:00 and not 14:00?
- (I'd rather we met at 13:00 (and not at 14:00)., I'd rather we met at 13:00 and not at 14:00., I'd rather we met at 13:00.)
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