PREFER/WOULD PREFER/ WOULD RATHER

• PREFER  (to say what you prefer in general)

I prefer doING something to doING something else

     

             I prefer drivING to travellING by train

I prefer TO do something rather than DO something else

            I prefer TO DRIVE rather than TRAVEL by train

• WOULD PREFER TO (to say what somebody wants in a specific situation)

I would prefer TO DO something rather than DO something else

      I would prefer TO STAY at home tonight rather than GO to the cinema

• WOULD RATHER (to say what somebody wants in a specific situation)

I would rather DO something  than DO something else 

     I would rather STAY at home tonight than GO to the cinema  

The negative is :  I am tired. I'd rather not GO OUT this evening

• WOULD RATHER  WITH CHANGE OF SUBJECT

I would rather + PAST SIMPLE (BUT the meaning is present NOT past)

   I would rather you MADE dinner now

   I would rather you DIDN'T TELL anyone what I said