Prefer
- prefer + noun/-ing + to + noun/-ing: I prefer tea to coffee. / I prefer walking to driving.
- prefer + to + verb: I prefer to stay home.
- would prefer + to + verb (specific, polite): I'd prefer to wait.
Would rather
- would rather + base verb (+ than + base verb): I'd rather walk than drive.
- Negative: I'd rather not go.
- Different subject → past simple: I'd rather you stayed. / I'd rather you didn't smoke.
- Question: Would you rather have tea or coffee?
Watch out
- No to after would rather: I'd rather go.
- With prefer we compare with to; with would rather we compare with than.
En español
Prefer = preferir (en general; prefer X to Y). Would rather = preferiría (+ verbo base, sin to; compara con than). Si el sujeto cambia, el verbo va en pasado simple: I'd rather you stayed.
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