would rather

idiom

—used to indicate what one wants or prefers to do, have, etc.

She would rather drive than take the train.

I would rather you didn't tell them.

"If you'd rather, we can go outside." "No, thanks—I'd rather not."

Which beach would you rather go to?

Examples of would rather in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The candidates and their campaigns would rather play to their constituencies and avoid some of the architecture of traditional debate logistics, which seek to limit some of the outbursts that have become inevitable in a social-media age (and often prove ineffective in doing so). —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 11 Sep. 2024

After all, Uber would rather pay for profitable trips than having to top off drivers at the end of a pay period for doing nothing. —Len Sherman, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024

Champion would rather keep her answer tucked under her gloriously frothy, silk gazar hat from Albertus Swanepoel. —Sean Thomas, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2024

According to American Express data, 72% of respondents would rather save money for a major trip than spend it on going out with friends. —Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 2 Sep. 2024