A.    我們用這三個詞以表達我們的偏好;

prefer指較一般的偏好, 而 would prefer和 would rather則指特定的偏好:

My parents usually prefer Japanese food.

I’d prefer to stay at home tonight. 

She’d rather go dancing (than play bowling) this weekend.

They’d prefer to stay longer at the party.

B.     句型

1)肯定句/否決句

a)  prefer/would prefer + N…..to N:

Zoe prefers Indian food to Japanese food.

b)  prefer/would prefer + V-ing….to V-ing:

Danny’d prefer playing hockey to practicing basketball.

c)  would rather (not)+ V-inf…than V-inf:

Joey would rather write letters than send emails to his friends.

=Joey would rather not send emails to his friends.*

*注意!

I’d rather not有時單獨當作回答,以拒他人的邀請或建議:

e.g. Would you like to have another piece of cake?

I’d rather not. I’ve had enough to eat.

I’d rather not have another piece of cake. (而非 I wouldn’t rather have…)

2)問句與回答

Do they prefer jogging?  Yes, they do./No, they don’t.

Does she prefer chocolate?  Yes, she does./No, she doesn’t.

Would he prefer to cook tonight?  Yes, he would./No, he wouldn’t.

Would they rather go biking? Yes, they would./ No, they wouldn’t.