Lesson Content
Warm-Up Question:
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.
Grammar Focus
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.”
Remember:
- “Would like” and “would prefer” use to + verb.
- “Would rather” uses the base verb only.
- “Would prefer” is more flexible and sometimes sounds more formal.
⚠️ Common Mistakes:
- Don’t say: “She would rather to go.”
➤ Say: “She would rather go.” - Don’t say: “I’d prefer go out.”
➤ Say: “I’d prefer to go out.”
🗣️Why This Grammar Matters for Listening and Speaking
“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.”
🎧 Tips for speaking and listening:
- Listen for shortened forms like “I’d like”, “she’d rather”, “he’d prefer”.
- “Would prefer” can sound more formal, especially in workplace or service settings.
- Use these phrases to sound respectful and collaborative, especially when giving opinions or making suggestions.
These expressions help you make decisions, ask politely, and connect smoothly in everyday communication.
Let’s Practice
Language Game
Now, practice your language skills with this interactive game.
🎧🗣️ Listening & Speaking Practice Questions
Use “would like,” “would rather,” or “would prefer” in your answers. Ask your classmates follow-up questions like “Why?” or “What do you think?”
- Lunch Choice:
- What would you like to eat today?
➤ “I’d like a sandwich and salad. How about you?”
- What would you like to eat today?
- Evening Plans:
- Would you rather stay in or go out tonight?
➤ “I’d rather stay home and rest because _____.”
- Would you rather stay in or go out tonight?
- 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.”
- Would you prefer to visit a museum or take a walk in the park?
- Ordering Drinks:
- What would you like to drink?
➤ “I’d like iced tea, please.”
- What would you like to drink?
- With Friends:
- Would your friends rather watch a movie or play games?
➤ “They’d rather watch a movie.”
- Would your friends rather watch a movie or play games?
- Personal Routines:
- Would you prefer to exercise in the morning or at night?
➤ “I’d prefer to do it in the morning because ____.”
- Would you prefer to exercise in the morning or at night?
- Invitations:
- Would you like to go to the lake this weekend?
➤ “Yes, I’d like to go. Thanks!”
- Would you like to go to the lake this weekend?