Would Like / Prefer / Would Rather

Use this for things: I'd like a coffee. No to before a noun.

Use this for actions: I'd like to leave now.

Put the other person before to + verb: I'd like Anna to join us.

Use prefer ... to ... to compare things in general.

For general habits, both actions take -ing: I prefer reading to watching TV.

Use this for a specific choice now. After would prefer, use to + verb.

After would rather, use the base verb with no to: I'd rather stay.

Compare two actions in one situation. Both verbs stay in the base form.

Polite wants

Use would like in restaurants, stores, calls, and bookings when you ask for something or say what you want to do.

General preferences

Use prefer for what feels true in general, not only in this moment: food, travel, study habits, free-time activities.

Choice in one situation

Use would prefer or would rather when two options are possible now and you choose one: tonight, this weekend, on this trip.

Prefer talks about choice and taste. In a polite request for something now, would like is the natural pattern: I'd like a coffee, please.

After would rather, the next verb is bare: I'd rather stay, not I'd rather to stay.

Use would like + noun for a polite want now

Use would like before a thing you want now or soon: a drink, a seat, a ticket. It sounds more polite than want.

Use would like + to + verb for a desired action

Use would like to before an action: to leave, to speak, to book. The pattern needs to before the verb.

Use would like + someone + to + verb

Use this pattern when one person wants another person to do something: I'd like Tom to call me. Put the person before to + verb.

Use prefer + noun + to + noun to compare things

Use prefer to compare two things: tea to coffee, trains to buses. Keep to between the two choices.

Use prefer + verb-ing + to + verb-ing for general habits

Use this pattern for general preferences: cooking to eating out, walking to driving. Both actions take -ing.

Use would prefer + to + verb for a specific choice

Use would prefer to for one choice in a situation now: I'd prefer to stay home tonight. The verb after would prefer takes to.

Use would rather + base verb

Use would rather before the base verb with no to: I'd rather wait. This pattern expresses a choice in a specific situation.

Use would rather + base verb + than + base verb

Use this pattern to compare two actions in one situation: I'd rather walk than drive. Both verbs stay in the base form.

Choose the pattern for a specific choice or a general preference

Use would like, would prefer, and would rather for a choice now or in one situation. Use prefer for a general liking or habit.