Preferences and priorities

Express a preference, qualify it, and explain what matters most.

Understand and learn

Work from a natural example to useful language, one small pattern, a spoken attempt, and a response that is relevant to your life.

Nina

Would you rather live in the city or somewhere quieter?

Nina asks a choice between two possibilities.

Owen

I’d rather live near the city, although I wouldn’t want to be right in the center.

Owen states and qualifies his preference.

Nina

What matters most to you?

Nina asks about the priority behind the choice.

Owen

Reliable transport is essential, but having some green space matters just as much.

Owen balances two priorities.

Understand a natural example and learn a small set of useful words, phrases, and patterns.

These items were selected by the lesson curriculum for practical use—not extracted as an every-word list.

I’d rather…
Choose one action or situation.
I’d rather live near the city, although I wouldn’t want to be right in the center.
I prefer… to…
Compare two preferences.
I prefer… to…
Although…
Add a limit or contrast.
I’d rather live near the city, although I wouldn’t want to be right in the center.
What matters most is…
Name your main priority.
What matters most to you?
…matters just as much.
Give equal importance to another factor.
Reliable transport is essential, but having some green space matters just as much.

Which sentence expresses preference naturally?

I’d rather take the train.I’d rather to take the train.I rather taking the train.I’d prefer take the train than.

Compare two ways of living, working, learning, or travelling.

Name your real preference, one limitation, and two priorities.

Use it with someone