実践英会話教室10


Prefer & would rather

今回の英語は何か他のものよりは（B）、ある物（A）が好きであるということを表現する時に使うフレーズ（I like A better than B.　相手がわかっている場合 B を省略してもかまいません。）を学びます。

　　ここでは二種類の表現をとりあげます。１つは一般的なこと、すなわちあなたがいつも感じていることについて話すために使われます。もう１つは特別な状況の場合に使われます。

  1. 一般的にあなたが好んでいることを述べるために使う表現

    prefer
    prefer to do
    prefer doing

    I prefer soba to udon. = I like soba better.
    (私はうどんよりソバが好きだ。）
    John prefers walking to running. = John likes walking better.
    （ジョンは走るより歩く方が好きだ。）
    I prefer to read rather than watch TV. = I like reading better.
    (私はテレビを見るより読む方が好きだ。）

  2. 特別な状況を述べるために使う表現

    would prefer
    would prefer to do
    would prefer doing

    Would you prefer tea or coffee? = Do you want tea or coffee?
    (あなたは紅茶とコーヒーでは、どちらが飲みたいですか。）
    I'd prefer to stay here. = I want to stay here.
    (私はここにいたい。）
    I'd prefer living in Hawaii. = I want to live in Hawaii.
    （私はハワイに住みたいのだが・・・）

  3. would rather do = would prefer to do (〜したいのですが）

    I'd rather go by train than by car. = I want to go by train, not by car.
    （私は車でよりも列車で行きたいのですが。）
    I'd rather not go to Shinjuku. = I don't want to go to Shinjuku.
    （私は新宿には行きたくないのですが。）

（追記）
要するに　prefer A to B は、like （〜が好きだ）　would prefer, would rather は、want (〜ほしい）ということです。


Prefer & would rather

This month's English is a collection of phrases to use when you express the fact that you like something better than something else: "I like A better than B." It's not necessary to say what B is if the person you're speaking to understands.

There are two kinds of phrases here. One kind is used for talking about things in general, that is, how you usually or always feel. The other kind is for talking about how you feel in a particular situation. Be careful with the words that link A and B: to, or, than, and rather than.


  1. Use these to say what you prefer in general:

    prefer
    prefer to do
    prefer doing

    I prefer soba to udon. = I like soba better.
    John prefers walking to running. = John likes walking better.
    I prefer to read rather than watch TV. = I like reading better.

  2. Use these to talk about a particular situation.

    would prefer
    would prefer to do
    would prefer doing

    Would you prefer tea or coffee? = Do you want tea or coffee?
    I'd prefer to stay here. = I want to stay here.
    I'd prefer living in Hawaii. = I want to live in Hawaii.

  3. would rather do = would prefer to do

    I'd rather go by train than by car. = I want to go by train, not by car.
    I'd rather not go to Shinjuku. = I don't want to go to Shinjuku.

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