Would Rather, Prefer,had better

Rewrite the following sentences using “would rather”, “prefer” or “had better”, as given in brackets.

1.

You really must lose weight. Look at the scales! (BETTER)

__________________________________________________________ 2.

I don’t want to see the film. I want to sleep. (RATHER)

__________________________________________________________

WOULD RATHER WOULD RATHER is followed by the bare infinitive (without to) and “than”.

3.

The brakes are defective. You must have them repaired. (BETTER)

__________________________________________________________ 4.

I would love to stay here a little longer, but I have to go. (RATHER)

__________________________________________________________

I would rather read the paper than watch the news report.

5.

short form: ’d (I’d rather...)

6.

I wish I hadn’t bought this dress. It was too expensive. (BETTER)

_________________________________________________________ Yesterday I went go to Sue’s party, but I really shouldn’t have

stayed so long. (BETTER)

PREFER

__________________________________________________________ 7.

Sally would love an ice-cream, not a piece of cake. (RATHER)

PREFER is followed by a verb in the ing-form and “to”.

__________________________________________________________

I prefer reading books to watching stupid films.

__________________________________________________________

In contrast to “would rather”, prefer refers to general preferences, not current ones.

8.

9.

It´s starting to rain, but didn’t bring my umbrella. (BETTER)

Oh, I can’t stand tea. Please pour me some coffee. (RATHER)

__________________________________________________________ 10.

I like vegetables. I never eat fast food. (PREFER)

__________________________________________________________

HAD BETTER HAD BETTER is used to give advice. It is formed with the bare infinitive (without to): You had better lose some weight. short form: ‘d (you’d better…)

Negative: had better / ‘d better + not + verb.

You had better (you’d better) not forget the umbrella.

WISHES ABOUT THE PAST are followed by the past participle: I had better arrived earlier.

11.

I really want to see the film and not hear your jokes! (RATHER)

__________________________________________________________ 12.

I don’t like reading books. I love playing computer games. (PREFER)

__________________________________________________________ 13.

Kim is Peter’s girlfriend. But she dreams of kissing James. (RATHER)

__________________________________________________________ 14.

I got an F in the exam because I didn’t study hard enough. (BETTER)

__________________________________________________________ 15.

I like to ride my bike, not to go by car. (PREFER)

__________________________________________________________

KEY 1.

You had better lose some weight.

2.

I would rather sleep than see the film.

3.

You had better have those brakes repaired.

4.

I would rather stay here a little longer than go.

5.

I had better not bought this dress.

6.

I had better not stayed so long at the party.

7.

Sally would rather eat (have) an ice-cream than a piece of cake.

8.

I had better brought an umbrella.

9.

I’d rather drink coffee than tea.

10.

I prefer vegetables to fast food.

11.

I’d rather see the fim than hear your jokes.

12.

I prefer playing computer games to reading books.

13.

Kim would rather Kiss James than Peter.

14.

I had better studied harder.

15.

I prefer riding the bike to going by car.