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Exercises on Would Rather & Prefer

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
53 views6 pages

Exercises on Would Rather & Prefer

Uploaded by

somieisme
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Doan Thi Diem Secondary School B2 ON SCREEN

Name:………………………………… Class: 7C….. Module 7: SPORTS & FITNESS


GRAMMAR FOCUS: INFINITIVE/ -ING FORM
WOULD PREFER/ WOULD RATHER/ HAD BETTER
I - ING FORM (V-ing)
The -ing form is the form of the verb that ends in -ing: going, playing, working, etc.
 Tenses of -ing form:
Active voice Passive voice
Present doing being done
Perfect having done having been done
 Uses:
- As a noun: Dancing keeps her fit and slim.
- After some verbs: like, dislike, love, hate, enjoy, prefer, start, begin, finish, stop, etc.
I don’t like listening to pop music.
- After the verb “go” when we talk about activities:
She often goes shopping on Sundays.
- After prepositions:
I’m tired of watching TV.
- After some expressions: be busy, it’s no use, it’s (not) worth, there’s no point (in), what’s the use
of, can’t help, can’t stand, have difficulty (in)/ have trouble, look forward to, be/get used to:
It’s no use phoning him because he isn’t at home.
- After the following verbs: avoid, admit, confess, deny, continue, imagine, involve, mind, regret,
risk, spend, suggest, consider, etc.
Betty spends all day shopping.

II - INFINITIVE FORM
 Infinitive (full infinitive) = To + V (To V) She wants to become a doctor.
Bare infinitive = infinitive without “to” (V) She will study Medicine.
 Tenses of the infinitive:
Active voice Passive voice
Present (to) do (to) be done Refer to the present / future
Ross wants to go home now.
Present Continuous (to) be doing - Describe an action happening now
He seems to be having a great time.
Perfect (to) have done (to) have been done Refer to the past and show that the
action of the infinitive happened
before the action of the verb.
She claims to have travelled to Paris.
Perfect Continuous (to) have been doing Refer to the past and emphasizes the
duration of the action of the
infinitive, which happened before the
action of the verb.
She is wet. She must have been
walking in the rain.
 Uses:
1. We use the -infinitive:
- after the following verbs: advise, agree, ask, decide, demand, expect, hope, manage, offer, plan,
promise, refuse, seem, suppose, tend, threaten, want, wish, would like / would love, be able, etc.
1
He promised to take them to the zoo.
- after be + adjective (happy, nice, sorry, etc).
It will be nice to see them again after such a long time.
- with the adverbs “too” and “enough”.
It's too expensive to eat there.
He wasn't clever enough to go to university.
- after verbs: ask, know, learn, remember, want to know, when they're followed by the question
words who, what, where and how, but NOT “why”.
Do you know how to play the piano?
I don't know why he is crying.
- to express purpose.
She went out to buy some bread.
- In some expressions: to be honest, to sum up, to tell you the truth
- With the structure: It takes
It takes me 30 minutes to drive to work.
- After some pronouns: Someone, something, anything, etc.
There’s nothing to eat when I went there.
- With: only, first, last…
He’s always the first (one/ student/ boy) to come to class every day.
2. We use the bare infinitive:
- after modal verbs (can, may, should, etc).
She should ask the teacher.
- after the verbs: let, make.
She let me use her computer.
You can't make her do it!
- after would rather, had better.
I'd rather stay in than go out.
I'd better go home. It's getting late.
Note: • If two to-infinitives are joined with and, the 'to' of the second infinitive can be omitted.
He decided to go out and buy some fresh fruit.
• We form the negative infinitive with not.
She decided not to buy a new house.
He must not talk loudly.
 Note the difference in meaning of the verbs followed by -ing form and -inf form
1. allow allow
permit permit
recommend + V-ing recommend + O + To-V
advise advise
encourage encourage
* Note: Be + V3/ed + To-V (Passive Voice)
2. Stop + V-ing = finish, give up Stop + To-V = stop briefly in order to do sth else
Sean stopped eating salt because the doctor advised I stopped to make a phone call on my way home.
him to do so.
3. Remember + V-ing = recall doing something Remember + To-V = not forget to do something
I don't remember taking my wallet with me. Remember to come home early tonight.
4. Forget + V-ing = not recall doing something Forget + To-V = not remember to do something
I will never forget visiting the taj Mahal. I’m sorry, I forgot to post the letter.
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5. go on + V-ing = continue doing the same thing go on + To-V = then I did something else
She went on crying for hours. He finished his speech and went on to thank his
assistants.
6. Regret + V-ing = feel sorry about something I did Regret + To-V = be sorry to do something
I regret making that mistake; it cost me my job. I regret to inform you that you failed the exam.
7. Try + V-ing = do something as an experiment Try + To-V = attempt, do one's best
Why don't you try drinking more water? She tried to convince him.
8. Consider + V-ing Consider + To-V
9. Mean + V-ing = involve Mean + To-V = intend to do something
Being a pilot means travelling a lot. She means to open her own shop.
10. Be sorry for + V-ing = apologise for an earlier Be sorry + To-V = apologise for a present action
action I’m sorry to interrupt, but can I ask you a question?
I’m sorry for shouting at you.
11. Like + V-ing = enjoy (General preference) Like + To-V = think that something is good or right
She likes relaxing after work. to do
She likes to think that he is innocent.
12. be afraid + V-ing = be afraid something may Be afraid + To-V = be unwilling to do something
happen He is afraid to take the test in case he fails again.
She doesn’t want to ride the horse. She is afraid of
falling and hurting herself.
* Note: Similar meaning:
like
start + V-ing / To-V
begin

III – WOULD PREFER/ WOULD RATHER/ HAD BETTER

Note: We don’t usually say “I don’t prefer…” We use “I prefer not to…”
I prefer not to have music on when I’m studying.

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Practice exercises
Ex 1. Match column A to column B to make correct sentences, as in the example.

Exercise 2: Underline the correct item.


1 She admitted breaking/to break the vase. 6 Read/Reading is fun as wel
2 He agreed buying/to buy the house. l as educational.
3 Tracy enjoys going/to go to parties. 7 I'm busy cooking/to cook at the moment.
4 I can't help to laugh/laughing at her jokes. 8 They decided selling/to sell their old house.
5 You are advised not going/to go out in the sun.
Exercise 3: Put the verb in brackets into the correct infinitive or -ing form.
1 A: What would you like to have (have) for dessert?
B: I'd like a fruit salad, please.
2 A: Are you sure we must ……………………. (attend) the seminar on Friday?
B: Yes, I'm sure. Mr Simons said that if we want …………. (pass) the course, we had better ………. (go).
3 A: I can't decide what ……………………. (wear) to the party.
B: Why don't you wear your red dress?
4 A: Can you call me back later? I'm in the middle of ……………………. (bake) a cake.
B: No problem. What time do you want me ……………………. (phone) you back?
5 A: There's no point ……………………. (try) to convince her. She has made up her mind.
B: Maybe. But I'd prefer ……………………. (try) anyway.
6 A: Brian is planning ……………………. (buy) Mr Evans a birthday present.
B: Really! Well, I think he'd like Brian ……………………. (get) him a book.
Exercise 4: Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first. Use up to three words.
1 Sam is happy to work late tonight.  Sam doesn't mind working late tonight.
2 I don't mind walking the dog.  I'd be happy ………………………………………… the dog.
3 They're very excited about going on holiday.  They are looking ……………………………… on holiday.
4 Sally is travelling abroad this summer.  This summer, Sally plans …………………………… abroad.
5 They didn't let her go out last night.  They made her ………………………………… last night.
Exercise 5: Fill in the gaps with a verb from the list below in the correct form.
need, borrow, finish, take, answer, sleep, post
1 He managed to finish the project on time.
2 Karen might …………………………… some help with the shopping.
3 It's too hot …………………………… these days.
4 Could you …………………………… this letter for me, please?
5 Dad promised …………………………… us to the beach this weekend.
6 Tim won't let me …………………………… his bike.

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7 She refused …………………………… his questions.
Exercise 6: Put the verbs in brackets into the correct infinitive form.
1 A: What can we (do) do this evening?
B: I know! Let's (play) ……………………… table tennis.
2 A: What do you want (study) ……………………… at university?
B: Law. I've decided (become) ……………………… a lawyer.
3 A: Mark seems (be) ……………………… a bit upset today.
B: It's because his parents made him (do) ……………………… his homework before he went out.
4 A: It's not warm enough (go) to go the beach today.
B: Let's (go) ……………………… shopping instead.
A: No, I'd rather (stay) ……………………… at home and watch a film.
5 A: Did Joe manage (get) ……………………… to work on time?
B: No. He got up too late (catch) ……………………… the bus.
6 A: What time will you (arrive) ……………………… home?
B: I expect (be) ……………………… there before lunchtime.
Exercise 7: Fill in the correct INFINITIVE TENSES.
1 I think she left. She must ………………………………………………………………………
2 I hope he will come. He may ……………………………………………….…………………
3 I think he is working hard. He must ……………………………………………………... hard.
4 I think she was ill. She must ……………………………………………. ………………... ill.
5 I think he was driving carelessly. He must …………………………………….…… carelessly.
6 I think he has broken the vase. He must ……………………………………………... the vase.
7 I think she had written the poem. She must …………………………………………… the poem.
Exercise 8: Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first. Use up to three words.
1 Philippa doesn't mind collecting Tara from the station.
 Philippa is happy …………………………………………… Tara from the station.
2 Paul says that he has been studying all day.
 Paul claims to …………………………………………… all day.
3 I'm sure the thief has robbed several banks.
 The thief must …………………………………………… several banks.
4 Neil is going to Hawaii next week.
 Neil is planning …………………………………………… to Hawaii next week.
5 Journalists believe that the celebrity is staying at the Ritz Hotel.
 The celebrity is believed to …………………………………………… at the Ritz Hotel.
6 It looks like our cats were fighting all night.
 Our cats appear to …………………………………………… all night.
7 Rita said she will take care of my cat.
 Rita promised to …………………………………………… my cat.
8 I'm certain she isn't telling the truth.
 She can't …………………………………………… the truth.
Exercise 9: Provide the correct form of the verb in the brackets.
1. I'd rather (stay) ……………………… home tonight.
2. He keeps (hope) ……………………… and (pray) ……………………… that things will get better.
3. I don't know why he avoids (meet) ……………………… me.
4. The boy admitted (break) ……………………… my ancient flower vase.
5. I promise (not tell) ……………………… you a lie.
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6. The students stopped (talk) ……………………… when the teacher came in.
7. I'll try (not make) ……………………………… the same mistake again.
8. Would you mind (give) ……………………… me a hand?
9. Have you ever watched people (try) ……………………… (catch) ……………………… fish?
10. Do you have any money (pay) ……………………… for the book?
11. After (hear) ………………… the conditions, I decided (not enter) ………………… for the competition.
12. Imagine (have) ……………………… (get) ……………………… up at 4 a.m every day.
13. There were some people (row) ……………………… on the river.
14. Your hair needs (cut) ……………………… You'd better (have) ……………………… it done tomorrow
– unless you'd like me (have) ……………………… a go at it for you.
15. The children prefer (watch) ……………………… TV to (read) ……………………….
16. She has something (tell) ……………………… you.
17. It took me three days (find) ……………………… out the old photograph.
18. Do you remember (read) ………………………about it? No, at that time I was too young (read)
……………………… newspaper.
19. My brother is a stamp collector. He started (collect) ………………… stamps when he was 15 years old.
20. It's difficult ……………………… (get) used to getting up early.
Exercise 10: Choose the best answer.
1. I couldn't help …………… at his jokes.
A. laugh B. laughing C. to laugh D. laughed
2. Tom offered …………… Jane a ticket to the theater, but she refused to take it.
A. to give B. give C. giving D. to be given
3. Those workers stopped …………… their coffee because they felt tired of their new work.
A. drink B. drank C. drinking D. to drink
4. He asked them ……………
A. help him B. should help him C. to help him D. help to him
5. Mr Minh advised my family …………… leaving Vietnam.
A. to think B. not to think C. against D. against to
6. I hope …………… that woman again.
A. to see B. of seeing C. seeing D. have seen
7. She wasted much time …………… her old pair of shoes.
A. mend B. to mend C. mending D. to be mended
8. He regrets …………… lazy last year. He lost his job.
A. to be B. be C. been D. being
9. She remembered …………… that woman last month.
A. of seeing B. to see C. seeing D. have seen
10. David tried his best ……………, but his girlfriend refused ……………
A. explaining; to listen B. explaining; listening C. to explain; to listen D. to explain; listening
11. We heard a baby …………… in a neighbouring village.
A. cry B. to cry C. cried D. to crying
12. Willy denied …………… a whole bag of chocolate chip cookies before lunch.
A. eat B. to eat C. having eaten D. eaten
13. I was delighted …………… my old friends again.
A. to see B. seeing C. seen D. to be seen
14. We regret …………… you that we cannot approve your suggestion.
A. inform B. to inform C. informing D. informed
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Common questions

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In expressing future or hypothetical actions, the infinitive often implies intention, purpose, or predictions about future events (e.g., 'She went out to buy some bread'), whereas the -ing form frequently indicates present engagements or hypothetical contemplations (e.g., 'Sean stopped eating salt'). Infinitives can frame actions as proposed or not yet realized, while the -ing form suggests continuity or existing states .

Recognizing these verbs is crucial because the choice between the -ing form and infinitive can significantly alter the sentence's meaning and the speaker's intended message. For instance, 'forget' with -ing means failing to recall a past action, whereas with the infinitive, it implies not remembering to perform a future action (e.g., 'I forgot posting the letter' vs. 'I forgot to post the letter').

Using 'try' with the -ing form indicates experimenting with an action for potential results, like 'try drinking more water,' while with the infinitive, it suggests making an effort or attempting a specific objective, such as 'She tried to convince him' .

The structure 'would rather' is used for immediate preferences between alternatives (e.g., 'I'd rather stay in than go out'), while 'would like' indicates a more general desire or wish for a future action (e.g., 'I would like to travel next year'). 'Would rather' implies making a real-time choice, often followed by the bare infinitive, whereas 'would like' conveys a non-urgent preference followed by the full infinitive .

The addition of 'to' in the infinitive shifts the function from an ongoing action or general state to a purposeful act or a specific intention. For example, 'like' with the -ing form ('She likes relaxing') indicates general enjoyment, whereas 'like' with the infinitive ('She likes to think') frames it as a specific action or intention .

The bare infinitive is used after modal verbs (e.g., 'can', 'may', 'should'), after verbs like 'let' and 'make', and in specific constructions such as 'would rather' and 'had better' (e.g., 'She should ask the teacher'; 'You can't make her do it'). This usage often indicates a more direct or obligatory action compared to the full infinitive, which includes 'to' and can suggest futurity or intention .

The -ing form and the infinitive express different nuances in preferences. The -ing form signifies a general enjoyment or preference, as in 'She likes relaxing after work,' whereas the infinitive suggests a specific action or belief that something is right, such as 'She likes to think that he is innocent' .

Choosing between the -ing form and the infinitive form with verbs like 'stop' and 'remember' changes the meaning. 'Stop' with -ing means to cease an activity (e.g., 'Sean stopped eating salt'), whereas 'stop' with the infinitive denotes pausing one action to start another (e.g., 'I stopped to make a phone call'). Similarly, 'remember' with -ing means to recall an action ('I don't remember taking my wallet'), while with the infinitive, it signifies not forgetting to perform an action ('Remember to come home early tonight').

Expressions like 'there's no point in' and 'it's worth' require the -ing form to indicate an inherent state or action linked to a judgment or conclusion, such as 'It's no use phoning him because he isn’t at home' and 'It's worth visiting the museum.' These forms highlight the evaluative nature of the expression, framing the action as an implied or ongoing state .

Examples of verbs where the -ing form follows a preposition include phrases like 'I'm tired of watching TV' and 'She is interested in learning French.' This pattern is consistent because English syntax mandates that -ing forms follow prepositions, functioning as gerunds that introduce actions or states related to the prepositions' preceding clause .

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