英语表示喜好和优先的句型

A.当表达喜好和优先选项时，最简单的用prefer的名词preference, 例如：

1. He studied chemistry in preference to physics at university.

2. I can't say that I have any particular preference.

3. Please indicate your preference on the booking form.

4. Choosing furniture is largely a matter of personal preference.

B . 在口语中 would rather被用作表达优先的喜好，看下面的对话 。

John: Let's go out tonight.Mary: That's a good idea.John: How about going to a film? There's a new film out with Tom Hanks.Mary: I'd rather go out for dinner. I'm hungry!John: Okay. Which restaurant would you prefer ?Mary: I'd prefer to eat at Johnny's. They serve great steaks.

再看一段对话：

Sue: I'm not sure which topic to choose for my essay.Debby: Well, what are your choices?Sue: I can write about the economy or about a book.Debby: Which would you rather write about?Sue: I'd prefer to write about a book.Debby: How about Moby Dick?Sue: No, I'd rather write about Timothy's Gift.

肯定句的表达方式：

Subject + would rather ('d rather) + verb

Peter would rather spend time on the beach. I would rather learn a new language than study math.

疑问句的表达方式：

Would + subject + rather + verb

Would you rather stay at home? Would they rather do homework tomorrow morning?

否定句的表达方式：

Subject + would rather ('d rather) + not + verb

She' d rather not go to class today. I' d rather not answer that question.

在选择喜好时还可以用Would Rather Than来选择两种特定的行为，此时than之后用动词原形：

Would you rather eat dinner out than cook dinner tonight?She would rather play tennis than go horseback riding.

Would Rather 可以用在疑问句中和连词or共用，提问选择两个选项：

Would you rather eat here or go out? Would you rather study or watch TV?

用Would Rather 可以表达希望某人做某事，这种结构类似非真实情况，因为表达想象的情况，此外还可以委婉地提问, 但动词是过去式:

S + would rather + Person + past verb

Tom would rather Mary bought an SUV. (注意动词用过去) Would you rather she stayed here with us?

肯定句：Subject + would rather ('d rather) + object + past tense

I would rather my son worked in finance.Susan would rather Peter took a plane.

疑问句:Would + subject + rather + object + past tense

Would you rather her sister flew home tomorrow? Would you rather he came with us to the meeting?

C. 用would prefer表达优先的喜好，这时候prefer后面接动词不定式较多：

肯定句：Subject + would prefer ('d prefer) + infinitive (to do)

Jennifer would prefer to stay at home tonight.The teacher would prefer to have the test next week.

疑问句：Would + subject + prefer + infinitive (to do)

Would you prefer to go out for dinner tonight? Would they prefer to stay in New York for the week?

D．用 Prefer表示优先选择，此时往往是一般现在时，在两者之间做出选择：

肯定句：Subject + prefer + object + to + object

She prefers coffee to tea. I prefer summer vacations to winter vacations.

疑问句:Do + subject + prefer + object + to + object

Do you prefer wine to beer?Does she prefer New York to Chicago?

当用prefer做选择时，既可以跟不定式，也可以接动名词，但前后必须统一。

肯定句：Subject + prefer + to do / doing + object

My friend prefers to finish his chores early in the morning. Jack prefers doing his homework at home to doing it in the library.

疑问句：Do + subject + prefer + to do / doing + object

When do you prefer staying at home to going out at night?Does she prefer to eat in restaurants?

练习：

1. Jennifer would rather _____ (stay) home for dinner tonight.
2. I think I'd prefer _______ (play) chess today.
3. Would you rather I _____ (leave) you alone?
4. I'd rather the students _____ (study) for their test.
5. Peter prefers _____ (relax) at home on the weekend.

Answers:

1. stay
2. to play
3. left
4. study
5. relaxing / to relax

用to, than, or填空:

1. Do you prefer coffee _____ tea?
2. I think I'd prefer _____ drive to California.
3. Would you rather go to the club _____ go to the beach? (asking for a choice)
4. He'd rather work all day _____ go to the beach! (make a specific choice)
5. My friend prefers Japanese food _____ American food.

Answers:

1. to
2. to
3. or
4. than
5. to