English grammar
I'd rather + past simple (someone/something else) / + verb (you)
Say what you'd prefer someone else does with I'd rather.
From the scene I'd rather it was chocolate
In short
For a preference about something else, use I'd rather + subject + past simple. For yourself, use I'd rather + verb.
Your turn
Which one goes with question form?
Options: Would you rather it was...? · I'd rather it was chocolate · I'd rather it had three tiers
Show answer
question form → Would you rather it was...?
How it works
For a preference about someone or something ELSE, use I'd rather + subject + past simple, even though it's about now: I'd rather it was chocolate.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Would you rather we (blank) another flavour before deciding?
Options: will try · tried · trying
Show answer
Would you rather we tried another flavour before deciding?
¿Prefieres que probemos otro sabor antes de decidir?
Good to know
For your own action, drop the subject and use the bare verb: I'd rather try them all.
a preference about something else I'd rather it was chocolate
Tomás
Mmm, I don't know. I'd rather it was chocolate.
Mmm, no sé. Prefiero que sea de chocolate.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Mmm, I don't know. (blank).
Options: Would you rather it was · I'd rather it had three tiers · I'd rather it was chocolate
Show answer
Tomás
Mmm, I don't know. I'd rather it was chocolate.
Mmm, no sé. Prefiero que sea de chocolate.
question form Would you rather it was...?
Tomás
Marisa? Would you rather it was chocolate?
¿Marisa? ¿Prefieres que sea de chocolate?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Marisa? (blank) chocolate?
Options: Would you rather it was · I'd rather it was chocolate · I'd rather it had three tiers
Show answer
Tomás
Marisa? Would you rather it was chocolate?
¿Marisa? ¿Prefieres que sea de chocolate?
a preference about something else I'd rather it had three tiers
Tomás
I'd rather it had three tiers, no more.
Prefiero que tenga tres pisos, no más.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), no more.
Options: Would you rather it was · I'd rather it had three tiers · I'd rather it was chocolate
Show answer
Tomás
I'd rather it had three tiers, no more.
Prefiero que tenga tres pisos, no más.
your own action — bare verb, no subject I'd rather try...
Your turn
What goes with I'd rather try...?
Options: a preference about something else · question form · your own action — bare verb, no subject
Show answer
I'd rather try... → your own action — bare verb, no subject
Common mistake
Not is or will be here. A preference about something else (the cake).
Mmm, I don't know. I'd rather it was chocolate.
Mmm, no sé. Prefiero que sea de chocolate.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| a preference about something else | I'd rather it was chocolate |
|---|---|
| question form | Would you rather it was...? |
| a preference about something else | I'd rather it had three tiers |
| your own action — bare verb, no subject | I'd rather try... |
More lines from the story
- NuriaWould you rather we tried another flavour before deciding?¿Prefieres que probemos otro sabor antes de decidir?
- NuriaPerfect. How many tiers do you want for the cake?Perfecto. ¿Y cuántos pisos quieres para la tarta?
- TomásI'd rather we tried all of them... several times!Prefiero que probemos todos... ¡varias veces!