Preference
·
Definition
Preference
is a sentence that shows a choice. Sometimes we need to state a preference when
someone makes a suggestion. Offer something or ask your opinion about what to
do. We use preference to state our choice politely. The function of preference
is to ask about people’s general tastes or preference to select an choice
·
Kind
of preference
Basically there are
four kinds of preference. They are ‘prefer…; would rather…; like…better than…;
and would prefer…
furthermore , the
writers are going to elaborate each of those preference words above in the
following.
A. Prefer…
Prefer…to…
Prefer…to…is
followed ‘by verb+ing’ But, prefer…to… can also be followed by noun.
·
Followed by verb –ing
Pattern : prefer + verb
-ing+ To + verb-ing
Example
I prefer cooking to
sewing in my spare time
Alex prefers reading a
book to watching TV
·
Followed
by noun
S + Prefer + noun + To
+ noun
Example :
I prefer tea to coffee
My mothers prefers
donut to hamburger
·
Prefer
instead of
Prefer instead of
always followed by ver-ing
Pattern : subject +
prefer + verb- ing + instead of + verb –ing
Example
His sister prefers to
reading a book instead of watching TV
They prefer to playing basketball
instead of swimming
·
S
+ Prefer + to infinitive + complement
Example :
He prefers to stay here
She prefers to collect
the stamps
·
S
+ prefer + to infinitive + noun + To + noun
Example:
We prefer to eat
hamburger to pizza
It prefer to eat grass
to fruits
B. Would
rather
Remember that the
phrase would rather is similar to a modal although would rather appears to be a
past, it expresses preference in present and future times. Avoid using an
infinitive or –ing form instead of verb word.
Example:
I would rather sleep
Would rather … than …
·
Would
rather …. Than … is followed by verb I
Pattern: S + would
rather + verb I + than + verb I
EXAMPLE
He would rather play
game than play badminton
We would rather read a
book than play chess
·
S+
would rather + verb I+ Instead of + V-ing
We would rather go
somewhere instead of staying at home
His aunt would rather
drink coffee instead of drinking tea in the morning
·
Would
rather … that ….
Remember that when the
preferences is for another person or thing, would rather that introduces
a clause. The other person or thing is subject of clause. Although the verb is
past tense, the preferences is for present or future times. Avoid using a
present verb, a verb word or should instead of a past verb. avoid also
using don’t instead of didn’t.
Pattern
·
S
+ would rather that verb II
EXAMPLE:
We would rather that
you didn’t bring the books
We would rather that
you came
C. like….
Better than….
Like better than….Is
followed by noun or verb I + Ing.
·
Followed
by noun
Pattern ; S + LIKE(s) +
noun + better than + noun
Example:
I like mango better
than orange
She likes apple better
than banana
·
Followed
by verb_ing
Pattern : S + like +
verb- ing + better than + verb-ing
Example
I like reading a comic
better than playing foot ball
He likes reading better
than watching TV.
The using of “like” to
express preferences in the Past: the word “like “ has to get suffix ‘-ed”. So,
the past equivalent of “ they like typing better than writing”. Would be “ they
liked typing better than writing”
D. would
prefer
·
would
prefer… rather than ….
Would prefer…. Rather
than… is followed by verb I
Pattern : s + would
prefer + to verb I+ Rather than + to verb I
EXAMPLE
My grandmother would
prefer to play tennis rather than to swim
We would prefer to cook
rather than to do the dishes
·
would
prefer… instead of …..
pattern : S+ WOULD
PREFER + verb I + Instead of + verb-ing
example:
my boyfriend would
prefer study instead of sleeping
my best friend would
prefer to stay at home instead of going out on Sunday
E. Had
better
Although had appear to
be past but “ had better” express advice for future and present
had better do something
mean it is advisable to do it.
·
S
+ Had better + verb
Example
We had better go to
school now or we will be late
the negative form of “ had
better”
·
S
+ Had better + not + verb I
Example
You had better not work
today. You don’t look very well.
·
We
can use “had better” when we want someone must do something
Example
·
She
had better be on time
Had
better is followed by infinitive without to
example
it might rain. We had
better take an umbrella.
F. it’s
time
·
It’s
time + to infinitive
Example
It’s time
to get up
·
it’s
time + S + past form
example
it’s time
you went away
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Martinet. 1986. A
Practical English Grammar. New York: Oxford University Press.
Sudrajat. 1997. Quick
Reading Quick speaking. Bandung: M2S Bandung
www. Google.Com
