（1）表示一种心理愿望，意为“宁愿”。
I’d rather do it by myself.我宁愿独自一人去做那件事。
I’d rather you came tomorrow.我倒想要你明天来。
I’d rather you had finished it yesterday.我倒想你昨天就做完了。
（2）否定形式：not置于rather之后。
I’d rather not say anything.我宁可什么也不说。
I’d rather not tell you about it.我倒想不告诉你为好。
（3）疑问形式：将would提到句首。
Would you rather give the chance up？ 你宁愿把机会放弃吗？
Which would you rather have，tea or coffee？ 你喜欢喝茶，还是咖啡？
（4）would rather构成的句式
would rather do ...than do ...宁愿……而不……
would do ...rather than do ...宁愿……而不……
prefer to do ...rather than do ...宁愿……而不……
I’d rather die than give in.我宁愿死，也不会屈服。
The boy would play computer games rather than do his homework.
男孩宁愿打电玩也不愿做作业。
I prefer to watch TV than play mah-jong.我宁愿看电视也不愿打麻将。
【提示】 than前后是同一动词时，可省略后面的动词，构成“平行结构”。
I’d rather play football than basketball.我宁愿踢足球也不愿打篮球。（名词+名词）
I’d rather go by bike than by bus.我宁愿骑单车也不愿坐公共汽车。（介词短语+介词短语）
I’d rather be healthy than rich.与其有钱，不如身体健康。（形容词+形容词）
I’d rather do it slowly than carelessly.与其粗心，还不如慢一点。（副词+副词）