Rewrite the following sentences using “would rather”, “prefer” or “had better”, as given in brackets. 1.
You really must lose weight. Look at the scales! (BETTER)
__________________________________________________________ 2.
I don’t want to see the film. I want to sleep. (RATHER)
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WOULD RATHER WOULD RATHER is followed by the bare infinitive (without to) and “than”.
3.
The brakes are defective. You must have them repaired. (BETTER)
__________________________________________________________ 4.
I would love to stay here a little longer, but I have to go. (RATHER)
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I would rather read the paper than watch the news report.
5.
short form: ’d (I’d rather...)
6.
I wish I hadn’t bought this dress. It was too expensive. (BETTER)
_________________________________________________________ Yesterday I went go to Sue’s party, but I really shouldn’t have
stayed so long. (BETTER)
PREFER
__________________________________________________________ 7.
Sally would love an ice-cream, not a piece of cake. (RATHER)
PREFER is followed by a verb in the ing-form and “to”.
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I prefer reading books to watching stupid films.
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In contrast to “would rather”, prefer refers to general preferences, not current ones.
8.
9.
It´s starting to rain, but didn’t bring my umbrella. (BETTER)
Oh, I can’t stand tea. Please pour me some coffee. (RATHER)
__________________________________________________________ 10.
I like vegetables. I never eat fast food. (PREFER)
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HAD BETTER HAD BETTER is used to give advice. It is formed with the bare infinitive (without to): You had better lose some weight. short form: ‘d (you’d better…) Negative: had better / ‘d better + not + verb. You had better (you’d better) not forget the umbrella. WISHES ABOUT THE PAST are followed by the past participle: I had better arrived earlier.
11.
I really want to see the film and not hear your jokes! (RATHER)
__________________________________________________________ 12.
I don’t like reading books. I love playing computer games. (PREFER)
__________________________________________________________ 13.
Kim is Peter’s girlfriend. But she dreams of kissing James. (RATHER)
__________________________________________________________ 14.
I got an F in the exam because I didn’t study hard enough. (BETTER)
__________________________________________________________ 15.
I like to ride my bike, not to go by car. (PREFER)
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KEY 1.
You had better lose some weight.
2.
I would rather sleep than see the film.
3.
You had better have those brakes repaired.
4.
I would rather stay here a little longer than go.
5.
I had better not bought this dress.
6.
I had better not stayed so long at the party.
7.
Sally would rather eat (have) an ice-cream than a piece of cake.
8.
I had better brought an umbrella.
9.
I’d rather drink coffee than tea.
10.
I prefer vegetables to fast food.
11.
I’d rather see the fim than hear your jokes.
12.
I prefer playing computer games to reading books.
13.
Kim would rather Kiss James than Peter.
14.
I had better studied harder.
15.
I prefer riding the bike to going by car.