Preference (would rather/had better) Exercises PDFSet 1: Would Rather & Had Better: Basic Preference and Strong Advice Exercises
20 questions·12 min·Answers included·Explanations included
Preview: Questions
Fill in the blank with the correct option.
1.It's a beautiful day. I ___ go for a walk than stay inside.
a) had betterb) would ratherc) would rather tod) would prefer to
2.You're coughing badly. You ___ see a doctor.
a) had betterb) would ratherc) had better tod) would rather to
3.A: Shall we go to the beach or the park? B: I ___ go to the beach.
a) had better tob) would rather toc) would ratherd) had better
4.The exam starts in an hour. You ___ not waste any more time.
a) would rather to notb) hadn't betterc) had better tod) had better
5.My sister is afraid of flying. She always says she ___ take the train.
a) had better tob) would ratherc) would rather tod) had better
... and 15 more questions in the PDF
Preview: Answers
1.would rather
2.had better
3.would rather
4.had better
5.would rather
... and 15 more answers in the PDF
Preview: Explanations
1."would rather"(b)
Use 'would rather + bare infinitive + than + bare infinitive' to express a preference between two things. 'I'd rather go for a walk than stay inside' compares two options. 'Had better' is for advice or warnings and doesn't use 'than' to compare preferences. 'Would prefer to' needs a different structure (would prefer to go ... rather than stay).
2."had better"(a)
Use 'had better + bare infinitive' to give strong advice, often with a warning that something bad may happen if you don't follow it. The person's cough could get worse without medical attention. Don't add 'to' after had better — 'had better to see' is incorrect.
3."would rather"(c)
Use 'would rather + bare infinitive' to express your preference when choosing between options. This is a casual choice between two leisure activities, so 'would rather' (preference) is appropriate. 'Had better' would imply an urgent reason or warning, which doesn't fit this relaxed context. Don't add 'to' after would rather.
4."had better"(d)
Use 'had better not + bare infinitive' for a strong warning about consequences. With only an hour until the exam, wasting time could lead to poor results. The negative form is 'had better not' (not 'hadn't better'). Don't add 'to' after had better, and don't put 'not' in the wrong position.
5."would rather"(b)
Use 'would rather + bare infinitive' to express a personal preference. 'She always says' tells us this is her repeated, stated preference — she prefers the train because of her fear. You wouldn't 'always say' you 'had better' do something, as had better is for specific advice, not habitual preferences.
... and 15 more explanations in the PDF
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