would rather / would prefer / prefer (-ing and to Units 53-66)

Pattern

Three verbs say “I like X more than Y”, but each takes a different verb form after it. This is a classic Murphy Units 53-66 trap.

Verb	Form after	Negation	Example
would rather	bare infinitive	not + bare	I’d rather get a taxi. / I’d rather not walk.
would prefer	to-infinitive	not + to	I’d prefer to get a taxi. / I’d prefer not to walk.
prefer	to-infinitive OR -ing	not + to/-ing	I prefer to get / getting a taxi.

The “than” clause (the comparison half)

would rather + bare + than + bare: I’d rather walk than take a taxi.
would prefer + to + rather than + bare: I’d prefer to walk rather than take a taxi. (NOT than to take)
prefer + to/-ing + to + bare/-ing: I prefer walking to driving.

Verb	Form	Example
would rather	bare	I’d rather get.
would sooner (formal)	bare	I’d sooner walk than drive.
would just as soon	bare	I’d just as soon stay home.
had better (advice)	bare	You’d better go now.
would prefer	to	I’d prefer to get.
like	to / -ing	I like to get / getting a taxi.

Trap: don’t mix forms

I’d rather to get ✗ (drop the to)
I’d prefer get ✗ (add the to)
I prefer to get than to walk ✗ (use would prefer for that pattern, or use bare: rather than walk)

Negation: where not goes

I’d rather not walk. (not before bare verb)
I’d prefer not to walk. (not before to)
I prefer not getting / I prefer not to get. (either works)

Source

Raymond Murphy, English Grammar in Use (4th ed.), Additional Exercises — -ing and to … (Units 53-66). Ebot lesson 2026-08-29: “I’d rather ___ a taxi” → get (bare infinitive after would rather; contrast with would prefer + to).