Expressions of preference: I

and I would prefer you + infinitive

PEG 297
A: Can I go by air? (train)

1. 
   B: I'd rather you went by train.
   
2. 
   B: I'd prefer to go by train..
   

1. 
   Can I by a big dog? (small dog)
   
2. 
   Shall I phone you when you're away? (write to me)
   
3. 
   Can I study sociology at the university? (mathematics)
   
4. 
   Shall I toss the pancake? (turn it with a knife)
   
5. 
   Shall I put the money under the mattress? (put it in the bank)
   
6. 
   Can I hang the washing out of the window? (hang it on the line)
   
7. 
   Can we speak French at meals? (English)
   
8. 
   Can I pay by cheque? (pay cash)
   
9. 
   Can I settle the account tomorrow? (today)
   
10. 
    Can I climb alone? (with a guide)
    
11. 
    Shall I leave the key in the lock? (under the mat)
    
12. 
    Shall I adjust the brakes myself? (ask the garage to do it)
    
13. 
    Can I join the demonstration? (stay at home)
    
14. 
    Shall I complain to the manager? (say nothing)
    
15. 
    Shall I let the phone ring? (answer it)
    
16. 
    Shall I leave the light on? (turn it off)
    
17. 
    Can I wear jeans to Ann's party? ( a suit)
    
18. 
    Shall I cut my own hair? (go to a hairdresser)
    
19. 
    Can I drive fast? (slowly)
    
20. 
    Shall I send it by ordinary post? (register it)
    

PEG 295
(a) A (in tones of sympathy): You have to make beds, I suppose.

B (cheerfully): Yes, but I like making beds!

Twenty years later, Susan's children have left home, her husband has retired and they can afford some help in house and garden. Her friend reminds her of her former busy life.

2. 
   A: You had to make beds, I suppose.
   

PEG 295
Students' summer jobs.

B: Yes, but I wouldn't like/wouldn't care/would hate to drive lorries for a living.

2. 
   A: You liked driving lorries, didn't you?
   

PEG 295
The life of au pair.

(a) B: So have I. I like cooking but (I) hate washing up.

(b) B: So have I. I enjoy cooking but (I) don't care for washing up.

1. 
   B: So have I. I don't mind cooking but (I) dislike washing up.
   

This drill can also be done in the past tense:

B: So had I. I liked cooking but (I) hated washing up.

1. 
   hoover carpets and dust furniture.
   
2. 
   make beds and clean rooms.
   
3. 
   answer the door and answer the phone.
   
4. 
   do the flowers and polish the silver.
   
5. 
   buy fruit at the market and carry it home.
   
6. 
   take the children to school and hurry home afterwards.
   
7. 
   collect the children from school and supervise their homework.
   
8. 
   talk to the children and teach them French.
   
9. 
   go to the beach with the children and play in the sand.
   
10. 
    put the children to bed and tidy up after them.
    
11. 
    look after the baby and share a room with him.
    
12. 
    give the baby his bath and wash his clothes.
    
13. 
    drive the car and exercise the pony.
    
14. 
    walk the dogs and brush them.
    
15. 
    attend classes and do homework.
    

PEG 297
A: My brother plays tennis but hardly ever watches it.

(a) B: My brother prefers playing (tennis) to watching (it) too. (slight stress on my)

2. 
   B: My brother likes playing (tennis) better than watching (it) too. (slight stress on my)
   

1. 
   sings in a choir but hardly ever sings solo.
   
2. 
   talks; he hardly ever listens.
   
3. 
   drinks (at parties) but hardly ever dances.
   
4. 
   spends money but hardly ever saves it.
   
5. 
   phones; he hardly ever writes.
   
6. 
   listens to the radio; he hardly ever watches TV.
   
7. 
   mows the lawn but hardly ever weeds the garden.
   
8. 
   paint pictures; he hardly ever takes photographs.
   
9. 
   takes taxis; he hardly ever waits for a bus. (Use buses.)
   
10. 
    drives; he hardly ever lets me drive.
    
11. 
    cycles; he hardly ever walks.
    
12. 
    eats out; he hardly ever cooks for himself.
    
13. 
    stays at home (for his holidays); he hardly ever goes abroad.
    
14. 
    rushes about (during his holidays); h hardly ever relaxes.
    
15. 
    takes people to restaurants; he hardly ever invites them to his house.
    

PEG 289B, 297

1. 
   B: I'd rather walk on (than wait for a bus). (Words in brackets may be omitted.)
   
2. 
   B: I'd prefer to walk on.
   

This drill could also be done with I'm against/for or I'm in favour of + gerunds:

3. 
   B: I'm against waiting for a bus.
   
4. 
   B: I'm for waiting for a bus.
   
5. 
   B: I'm in favour of waiting for a bus.
   

(The speaker in (d) and (e) does not agree with the speaker in (a), (b) and (c).)

1. 
   write ... phone
   
2. 
   cook it ... eat it raw
   
3. 
   camp ... stay in a hotel
   
4. 
   deliver it by hand ... post it
   
5. 
   drive ... fly
   
6. 
   mend the old one ... buy a new one
   
7. 
   go as we are ... change into evening dress
   
8. 
   get a job ... ask our parents to send us money
   
9. 
   finish it tonight ... leave it till tomorrow
   
10. 
    try to fix it ourselves ... send for an electrician
    
11. 
    wash the sheets at home ... take them to the launderette
    
12. 
    do our own typing ... employ a secretary
    
13. 
    tune the piano ourselves ... get a piano tuner
    
14. 
    borrow a TV set ... hire one
    
15. 
    buy a cat ... put down rat poison
    
16. 
    ring the dentist today ... put it off till tomorrow
    
17. 
    start now ... wait for Bill
    
18. 
    hitch-hike ... cycle
    
19. 
    stay at home next weekend ... go away
    
20. 
    keep some ... eat all now
    

PEG 297
(i)

A: Shall I phone Tom tomorrow?

1. 
   B: I'd prefer you to phone him today.
   

2. 
   B: I'd rather you phoned him today.
   

(ii)

1. 
   B: I'd prefer you to show them to him today. (Note word order.)
   

1. 
   B: I'd rather you showed them to him today. (Note word order.)
   

Shall I ... tomorrow?

1. 
   phone Bill
   
2. 
   bring my friends
   
3. 
   speak to James
   
4. 
   sweep the stairs
   
5. 
   begin
   
6. 
   pay the milk bill
   
7. 
   come
   
8. 
   leave
   
9. 
   go to the library (Omit to the library.)
   
10. 
    read the instructions
    
11. 
    lend Peter the map (See (ii) above.)
    
12. 
    take the books back
    
13. 
    give Ann your message (See (ii) above.)
    
14. 
    burn the rubbish
    
15. 
    send Peter the cheque (See (ii) above.)
    
16. 
    get the new programme
    
17. 
    write to the Smiths
    
18. 
    see to the electric iron
    
19. 
    buy your season ticket
    
20. 
    make the arrangements
    

PEG 296

1. 
   A: Would you like to make a speech?
   

2. 
   A: Do you want to make a speech?
   

PEG 296
A: Did you see the castle?

(a) B: No, I would like to have seen it but there wasn't time.

2. 
   B: No, I wanted to see it but there wasn't time.
   

*Note: would have liked to see it and would have liked to have seen it

are also possible forms.
Did you ...

1. 
   ring Peter?
   
2. 
   talk to the students?
   
3. 
   attend the conference?
   
4. 
   try the beer?
   
5. 
   watch the match?
   
6. 
   visit the museum?
   
7. 
   see the zoo?
   
8. 
   walk round the town?
   
9. 
   meet your friends?
   
10. 
    look at the old bridge?
    
11. 
    climb to the top of the monument?
    
12. 
    have coffee? (Answer with some.)
    
13. 
    paint any pictures? (some)
    
14. 
    make a sketch? (Answer with one.)
    
15. 
    take any photographs? (some)
    
16. 
    hire a boat? (one)
    
17. 
    stroll round the market?
    
18. 
    send any postcards? (some)
    
19. 
    buy any souvenirs? (some)
    
20. 
    listen to the town band?
    

PEG 296C
Ann is a young married woman with a lot of time on her hands. Two of her friends think that she would be happier if she had an occupation or hobby. Unfortunately her husband doesn't seem to share their views.

1. 
   A: Have you suggested going to evening classes?
   

or

A: Did you suggest going to evening classes?

2. 
   A: Did you suggest going to evening classes?
   

1. 
   painting?
   
2. 
   riding?
   
3. 
   working in the garden?
   
4. 
   taking a driving test?
   
5. 
   making friends with her neighbours?
   
6. 
   inviting her mother to stay?
   
7. 
   getting a part-time job?
   
8. 
   hiring a typewriter?
   
9. 
   joining a drama club?
   
10. 
    acting in a play?
    
11. 
    singing in the choir?
    
12. 
    buying a dog?
    
13. 
    helping at the old people's club?
    
14. 
    studying Russian?
    
15. 
    learning judo?
    
16. 
    attending keep-fit classes?
    
17. 
    going to art lectures?
    
18. 
    taking a course in vegetarian cooking?
    
19. 
    redecorating the house?
    
20. 
    training as a tourist guide?
    

PEG 299
Ann is a newcomer; Bill is an old hand.

B: Oh, just go to the office and say you wish to complain about something.

1. 
   enrolling for a course?
   
2. 
   making a complaint?
   
3. 
   reporting an accident?
   
4. 
   seeing the welfare officer?
   
5. 
   taking a test?
   
6. 
   applying for study leave?
   
7. 
   entering for an exam?
   
8. 
   joining the union?
   
9. 
   starting a club?
   
10. 
    arranging a football match?
    
11. 
    organizing a trip?
    
12. 
    hiring a coach?
    
13. 
    having a poster printed?
    
14. 
    insuring one's life? (Use your.)
    
15. 
    paying one's fees? (Use your.)
    
16. 
    moving to another branch?
    
17. 
    voting in the election?
    
18. 
    claiming compensation?
    
19. 
    changing one's department? (Use your.)
    
20. 
    resigning?
    

PEG 300
Peter is a student who lives in a flat quite near his parents' house. His parents quite often visit his flat, but are not very impressed by the way he keeps it.

1. 
   B: Yes, I wish he'd make it more regularly.
   

2. 
   B: Yes, I wish he made it more regularly.
   

1. 
   paying the milkman.
   
2. 
   cleaning his bath.
   
3. 
   tidying up.
   
4. 
   defrosting his fridge.
   
5. 
   changing his sheets.
   
6. 
   sweeping his room.
   
7. 
   washing his shirts.
   
8. 
   cutting his hair.
   
9. 
   shaving.
   
10. 
    doing the washing up.
    
11. 
    putting his milk bottles out.
    
12. 
    cooking for himself.
    
13. 
    opening his windows.
    
14. 
    emptying his ashtrays.
    
15. 
    attending classes.
    
16. 
    writing essays.
    
17. 
    answering letters.
    
18. 
    having his clothes cleaned.
    
19. 
    taking his library books back.
    
20. 
    watering his geraniums.
    

PEG 300
After the accident.

B: I don't know. I wish I had helped him.

B: I don't know. I wish I hadn't refused to help him.

1. 
   did you go into the pub?
   
2. 
   did you allow him to drink so much?
   
3. 
   didn't you make him eat something?
   
4. 
   did you agree to drive home with him?
   
5. 
   didn't you tell him he was too drunk to drive?
   
6. 
   didn't you leave the car in the car park?
   
7. 
   didn't you lock the car?
   
8. 
   didn't you hide the key?
   
9. 
   did you say you were in a hurry?
   
10. 
    didn't you wait till he was sober?
    
11. 
    didn't you ring me?
    
12. 
    didn't you offer to drive yourself?
    
13. 
    didn't you insist on driving?
    
14. 
    did you get in with him?
    
15. 
    didn't you refuse to go with him?
    
16. 
    didn't you wait for a bus?
    
17. 
    didn't you warn him about the ice?
    
18. 
    did you let him go so fast?
    
19. 
    didn't you remind him about the level crossing?
    
20. 
    didn't you fasten your seat belt?
    

PEG 261
A: Did he say he had stolen the documents?

1. 
   B: Yes, he admitted stealing them.
   
2. 
   B: No, he denied stealing them.
   
3. 
   B: No, he is suspected of stealing them.
   
4. 
   B: No he has been accused of/ charged with stealing them.
   

1. 
   forged the signature?
   
2. 
   planned the hold-up?
   
3. 
   taken part in the robbery?
   
4. 
   hijacked the plane?
   
5. 
   kidnapped the heiress?
   
6. 
   fired at the policeman?
   
7. 
   attacked the cashier?
   
8. 
   shot the chauffeur?
   
9. 
   threatened the Prime Minister?
   
10. 
    sent the letter bombs?
    
11. 
    received the stolen goods?
    
12. 
    sold the secret information?
    
13. 
    given false evidence? (Keep false evidence.)
    
14. 
    intimidated the witnesses?
    
15. 
    bribed the officials?
    
16. 
    started the fires?
    
17. 
    derailed the train?
    
18. 
    led the raid?
    
19. 
    drugged the guards?
    
20. 
    helped the prisoners to escape? (Keep to escape.)
    

PEG 261
An old man is talking to his doctor.

B: Then try to avoid travelling overnight.

1. 
   got very angry
   
2. 
   overate
   
3. 
   drank too much
   
4. 
   went to bed too late
   
5. 
   rushed about
   
6. 
   stood for a long time
   
7. 
   made a long speech (Use speeches.)
   
8. 
   read in bad light
   
9. 
   carried a heavy suitcase (Use suitcases.)
   
10. 
    played cards all night
    
11. 
    took sleeping pills
    
12. 
    travelled by jet
    
13. 
    worked all weekend
    
14. 
    quarrelled with my neighbours
    
15. 
    slept in a haunted room (Use rooms.)
    

PEG 261
A: I had a lovely time yesterday; I wrote letters all day.

B: Do you actually enjoy writing letters? (stress on enjoy).
I had a lovely time yesterday. I ... all day.

1. 
   peeled potatoes
   
2. 
   washed windows
   
3. 
   mended socks
   
4. 
   cleaned shoes
   
5. 
   sewed on buttons
   
6. 
   ironed shirts
   
7. 
   patched sheets
   
8. 
   polished the silver (Omit the.)
   
9. 
   played with the children (Omit the.)
   
10. 
    practised the piano
    
11. 
    worked in the garden
    
12. 
    cooked
    
13. 
    baked
    
14. 
    watched cricket
    
15. 
    looked after children
    
16. 
    baby-sat
    
17. 
    dyed curtains
    
18. 
    rearranged the furniture (Omit the.)
    
19. 
    chopped wood
    
20. 
    house-hunted