would rather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'would rather' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express preference. For example, "I would rather have a cup of tea than coffee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They would rather starve.

Independent

I would rather not.

The New Yorker

But he would rather not.

The New York Times

I would rather benefit myself".

The New York Times

Gately would rather not know.

The New Yorker

I would rather be learning.

The New York Times

Edda Mellas would rather be anywhere else.

The New York Times

Germany would rather stretch out maturities.

The Economist

So, we would rather not have that.

The New York Times

I would rather it not be there".

The Guardian

But Chicago evidently would rather stay viral.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would rather" to express a preference between two options, ensuring clarity in your intended choice. For example, "I "would rather" stay home than go out tonight."

Common error

Avoid using "would rather" with the present simple tense when referring to a specific preference. Instead of "I rather go", use "I "would rather" go".

Linguistic Context

Expressing preference. The phrase "would rather" serves as a modal construction used to indicate that someone prefers one course of action or state of being over another. Ludwig confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Wiki

4%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would rather" is a common and grammatically sound way to express preference in English. According to Ludwig, it is a modal verb phrase used to indicate that one option is preferred over another. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources and maintains a neutral register. When using "would rather", ensure that it is followed by the base form of the verb and avoid common errors such as using the present simple tense incorrectly. Consider alternatives like "prefer to" or "would prefer" for slight variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would prefer

Similar to "would rather", but slightly more formal and emphatic.

would sooner

A more emphatic and slightly archaic form of expressing preference.

prefer to

This alternative expresses a direct preference, often implying a conscious choice.

choose to

Emphasizes the act of making a deliberate selection based on preference.

sooner

Implies doing something earlier or more readily, indicating a preference.

favor

Suggests a bias or inclination toward one option over another.

like to

A general expression of preference, often used for habitual actions.

care for

Indicates a preference, often used in polite requests or offers.

inclined to

Suggests a tendency or leaning towards a particular choice or action.

desire to

Expresses a strong feeling of wanting or wishing to do something.

FAQs

How to use "would rather" in a sentence?

"Would rather" is used to express preference. For example, "I "would rather" read a book than watch TV".

What can I say instead of "would rather"?

You can use alternatives like "prefer to", "would prefer", or "sooner depending on the context.

Which is correct, "would rather" or "would prefer"?

Both "would rather" and "would prefer" are correct and express preference, but "would prefer" is generally considered slightly more formal.

Can "would rather" be used to express past preference?

Yes, "would rather have" + past participle can be used to express a past preference. For example, "I "would rather" have gone to the party".