Would rather & Had better
They both express preference. Though they have similar meanings, they are used in different ways.
Would rather
It is used when there is a preference.
After would rather, we use the infinitive without to.
I would rather stay at home than go to a movie.
Look at the rules and examples below to understand the different usages of each.
When the person himself expresses a preference on something referring to the present or future:
Subject + would rather ('d rather) + base form of verb
I would rather (I'd rather) stay at home than go out right now.
When referring to the past:
Subject + would rather ('d rather) + have + past participle form of verb
I would rather (I'd rather) have stayed at home than (have) gone out last nigh.
When the person expresses a preference on someone else's actions referring to the present or future:
Subject + would rather ('d rather) + object + past tense
I would rather (I'd rather) you gave up smoking.
When referring to the past:
Subject + would rather ('d rather) + object + past perfect
I would rather (I'd rather) you hadn't lied to me about your school marks yesterday.
Would Prefer
Subject + would prefer + to infinitive + verb
I would prefer ('d prefer) to watch TV rather than (to) do shopping.
When referring to the past:
Subject + would prefer ('d prefer) to + have + past participle form of a verb
I would prefer (I'd prefer) to have been born somewhere else.
When the person expresses a preference on someone else's actions referring to the present or future:
Subject + would prefer ('d prefer) + object + to infinitive + verb
I would prefer ('d prefer) my son to live with me rather than (to) live abroad.
When referring to the past:
Subject + would prefer ('d prefer) + object + to + have + past participle form of a verb
I would prefer your daughter to have accepted my apology rather than (to have) ignored me last night.
Had better
After would rather, we use the infinitive without to.
I would rather stay at home than go to a movie.
It means....... (I prefer staying at home)
I would rather leave. (I would like to leave.)
Contracted Would - I'd, He'd, She'd, We'd, You'd, They'd
She'd rather stay with me than go out with you.
They'd rather play with the baby than change its diaper.
Usages:
Look at the rules and examples below to understand the different usages of each.
When the person himself expresses a preference on something referring to the present or future:
Subject + would rather ('d rather) + base form of verb
I would rather (I'd rather) stay at home than go out right now.
When referring to the past:
Subject + would rather ('d rather) + have + past participle form of verb
I would rather (I'd rather) have stayed at home than (have) gone out last nigh.
When the person expresses a preference on someone else's actions referring to the present or future:
Subject + would rather ('d rather) + object + past tense
I would rather (I'd rather) you gave up smoking.
When referring to the past:
Subject + would rather ('d rather) + object + past perfect
I would rather (I'd rather) you hadn't lied to me about your school marks yesterday.
Would Prefer
When the person himself expresses a preference on something referring to the present or future:
Subject + would prefer + to infinitive + verb
I would prefer ('d prefer) to watch TV rather than (to) do shopping.
When referring to the past:
Subject + would prefer ('d prefer) to + have + past participle form of a verb
I would prefer (I'd prefer) to have been born somewhere else.
When the person expresses a preference on someone else's actions referring to the present or future:
Subject + would prefer ('d prefer) + object + to infinitive + verb
I would prefer ('d prefer) my son to live with me rather than (to) live abroad.
When referring to the past:
Subject + would prefer ('d prefer) + object + to + have + past participle form of a verb
I would prefer your daughter to have accepted my apology rather than (to have) ignored me last night.
Had better
It is used when there is a preference.
We use had better when we give advice to others. The meaning of had better is similar to should. Had better expresses advice and warning.
You had better watch your steps.
She had better listen to you.
It's getting late. I had better go.
Contracted form of had better - I'd better, You'd better...
Notice that the contracted forms of had and would are the same and that I'd can be I had or I would so we need to look at the context to see what's meant to be said.
I'd rather lie than to hurt you. (I would)
I'd better tell the truth. (I had better)
More examples
I would rather drive than go by bus.
I would rather drink water than soda.
I would rather quit smoking. (than pay for it)
I'd better leave before it gets dark.
He had better quit smoking.
You'd better tell me what happened. Now!
Reference:
1. Grammar Bank.com
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