If you have free time this weekend, would you prefer to watch a movie with friends, or would you rather play sports? Explain your reason.

When I look for information online about the world, I try to be careful. I’d like to find sources that are trustworthy, but how do you really know which ones are reliable? Some websites look convincing, but their facts can be misleading or biased. I’d rather double-check a few sources than risk believing something that is wrong. Don’t you agree that checking twice is better than regretting it later?

Social media can be useful for a quick look at what is going on around us, but I’d prefer to get important news from reputable sites. They might not be as fast, but isn’t accuracy more important than speed? Some blogs and forums share helpful personal experiences, but I always make sure to verify them before I use them. How often do we trust stories without checking?

Overall, I’d rather spend time checking facts than share something incorrect. Staying well-informed takes effort, but it really pays off. If we are careful and thoughtful, we can understand the world better and make smarter decisions about the information we trust.

We use these polite expressions to talk about wants and preferences:

• Would like → To talk about polite desires or requests. Common in service situations or making offers.
• Would rather → To show a preference between two or more options.
• Would prefer → To show preferences in a more formal or general way than “would rather.”

Form:

• would like + to + base verb
  ➤ “I would like to order coffee.”
• would rather + base verb (no “to”)
  ➤ “I would rather stay home tonight.”
• would prefer + to + base verb
  ➤ “I would prefer to leave early.”
• You can also use: would prefer A to B
  ➤ “I would prefer tea to coffee.”

Examples:

• “I would like to try the pasta, please.”
• “Would you like something to drink?”
• “She would rather walk than drive.”
• “They’d rather not go out tonight.” (“They’d” → “They would”)
• “I would prefer to travel in the morning.”
• “He’d prefer coffee to tea.”

“Would like,” “would rather,” and “would prefer” are essential in polite, respectful, and natural conversation, especially when making choices or offers.

Where you’ll hear or use them:

• Restaurants and cafés:
  
  • “I’d like the salmon, please.”
  • “Would you prefer soup or salad?”
• Making decisions together:
  
  • “Would you rather see a movie or go bowling?”
  • “I’d prefer to relax tonight.”
• Group plans or preferences:
  
  • “They’d rather walk than wait.”
  • “He would like to try a different dish.”

These expressions help you make decisions, ask politely, and connect smoothly in everyday communication.

Now, practice your language skills with this interactive game.

Use “would like,” “would rather,” or “would prefer” in your answers. Ask your classmates follow-up questions like “Why?” or “What do you think?”

1. Lunch Choice:
   
   • What would you like to eat today?
     ➤ “I’d like a sandwich and salad. How about you?”
2. Evening Plans:
   
   • Would you rather stay in or go out tonight?
     ➤ “I’d rather stay home and rest because _____.”
3. Activity Preferences:
   
   • Would you prefer to visit a museum or take a walk in the park?
     ➤ “I’d prefer to walk in the park. There are so many things to do there.”
4. Ordering Drinks:
   
   • What would you like to drink?
     ➤ “I’d like iced tea, please.”
5. With Friends:
   
   • Would your friends rather watch a movie or play games?
     ➤ “They’d rather watch a movie.”
6. Personal Routines:
   
   • Would you prefer to exercise in the morning or at night?
     ➤ “I’d prefer to do it in the morning because ____.”
7. Invitations:
   
   • Would you like to go to the lake this weekend?
     ➤ “Yes, I’d like to go. Thanks!”