Study materials
Three ways to say you like something more, and each has its own form after it.
I prefer walking to driving.
In general I like walking more than driving.
I would prefer to walk today.
Today I would like to walk.
I would rather walk than take the bus.
I would rather walk than take the bus.
The article explains what follows prefer, would prefer and would rather, how to add a comparison, and how to say what you want another person to do.
Prefer and would prefer
Prefer about a general habit takes -ing or to, and a comparison is added with to. Would prefer about a particular occasion takes only to. Would rather takes the base form without to, and a comparison is added with than.
I prefer walking to driving.
I would prefer to walk today.
I would rather walk than take the bus.
With another person would prefer takes the person and to: I'd prefer you to stay.
Would rather
Would rather, 'd rather in speech, means would prefer. If the same person follows it, it takes the base form without to. A comparison is added with than.
I'd rather stay home tonight.
I'd rather not talk about it.
I'd rather walk than take the bus.
If another person follows would rather, the verb steps back. The Past Simple talks about now or the future, the Past Perfect about the past.
I'd rather you didn't smoke here.
I'd rather you called me tomorrow.
I'd rather you hadn't told her.
But you already have.
A short polite refusal is I'd rather you didn't. For example, Would you mind if I opened the window? can be answered with I'd rather you didn't.
Common mistakes
The first mistake is than after prefer.
I prefer walking than driving. → I prefer walking to driving.
Prefer compares with to.
The second mistake is to after would rather with another person.
I'd rather you to call me later. → I'd rather you called me later.
Another person brings a past form without to.
The third mistake is the Past Simple after would rather about the past.
I'd rather you didn't tell her yesterday. → I'd rather you hadn't told her yesterday.
For the past, had plus the third form is needed.
The first mistake shows before the second part of the comparison. After prefer it is to, and than comes only after would rather. The second shows after you in would rather you. A past form without to stands there. The third shows in the time word. Yesterday points to the past, so after would rather with another person you need had plus the third form.