There are different ways we can ask about preferences. To ask about people’s general tastes or preferences we can use one of the following. They all have the same meaning:
Which do you prefer tea or coffee?
I prefer tea to coffee.
Which do you prefer drinking tea or coffee?
I prefer drinking tea to coffee.
Which do you prefer to drink tea or coffee? (Notice: prefer to + present simple)
I prefer to drink tea than coffee.
Which do you like better tea or coffee?
I like tea better than coffee.
Do you prefer tea or coffee?
I prefer tea to coffee.
At a specific time
Imagine that a friend is visiting your home. You offer to make them a drink. You ask:
Would you prefer tea or coffee?
Tea, please.
Unreal situations
For unreal situations we use ‘would’:
Unfortunately, there is no chance that you will marry Brad Pitt or Johnny Depp. It is an unreal situation, so we ask (Notice that 'rather' is always followed by a verb'):
Would you rather marry Brad Pitt or Johnny Depp?
I’d rather marry Johnny Depp than Brad Pitt. I think he’s sexier!
Another example of this would be:
Would you rather be a bird or a dolphin?
I’d rather be a bird than a dolphin because I don’t like fish!
Negative answers
Would you rather marry Brad Pitt or Johnny Depp?
I’d rather not marry either. I’d rather marry David Beckham.
Would you rather be a bird or a dolphin?
I’d rather not be either. I'd rather be a cow.
Now complete the sentences using the correct word:
Which do you ___ better McDonanld's or Burger King?
Would you ___ go to the cinema or to a restaurant?
Which do you ___ eat chocolate or ice-cream?
Who does she ___ you or me?
I would rather ___ go to either.
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