Question

What does "would rather" mean and how is it used?

Answer 1

"Would rather" is a phrase used to express a preference for one option over another. It indicates that someone prefers to do one thing instead of another. The construction typically takes the format of "would rather" followed by a verb in its base form.

### Examples of Usage:

1. **Expressing preference**:
- "I would rather eat pizza than sushi."
- "She would rather stay home than go out."

2. **Making a suggestion**:
- "Would you rather watch a movie or go for a walk?"
- "I would rather read a book than go to the party."

3. **Expressing choice in the past** (using "have" + past participle):
- "I would rather have gone to the concert than stayed home."
- "He would rather have taken the train than driven."

### Key Points:
- "Would rather" is often followed by a subject and a base form verb (e.g., "I would rather go," "They would rather play").
- It can be used in questions (e.g., "Would you rather...?")
- It can refer to both present and past preferences, with slight variations in structure for past choices.

Overall, it’s a useful expression for indicating what someone prefers in various contexts.