Study the information about prefer and would rather.
1. You can use prefer to and prefer -ing to say what you prefer in general.
I don’t like countries. I prefer to live in cities/I prefer living in cities.
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Remember the structures!
I prefer something to something else.
I prefer doing something to doing something else.
I prefer to do something rather than (do) something else.
I prefer to drive a car than travel by train.
2. Would prefer (I’d prefer)
This phrase can be used when you say what somebody wants in a specific situation.
Would you prefer espresso or cappuccino?
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3. Would rather = would prefer
We should use would rather + infinitive (without to)
I’d rather stay at home today.
4. The structure: I’d rather you did something.
In this case we use the past, but the meaning is present.
I’d rather you made lunch.
I’d rather make lunch.
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I’d rather you didn’t tell anyone about these details.