This grammar exercise tests your ability to use rather, would rather and rather than.
1. He is ......................................
Rather usually goes before articles.
2. That was .................................
Rather can modify nouns. It usually goes before articles if there is no adjective. If there is an adjective it can go before or after articles.
3. We ........................ hoping he would leave soon.
Rather is an adverb. It goes after the auxiliary verb and before the main verb.
4. I would prefer to come on Tuesday .................... on Thursday.
5. I decided to phone rather than ..................
When the main clause has a to-infinitive, rather than is usually followed by an infinitive without to. An -ing form is also possible.
6. Would you rather ..................... here or go home.
Would rather is followed by an infinitive without to.
7. I would rather ....................... something to eat.
8. I would rather you ...................... me alone.
After would rather, we use a past tense with present or future meaning.
9. 'Should I turn the heating on?' 'I would rather you .....................
After would rather, we use a past tense with present or future meaning.
10. It is important to find new markets rather than .................... new people.
11. Rather than ........................ the last of my cash for a meal, I chose to stay hungry.
Please select 2 correct answers
Spend and spending are both possible here.
12. I would rather you ........................... that. You upset her.
A past perfect tense is used after rather than to talk about past actions.
Answers
1. He is rather a fool.
2. That was a rather good idea / rather a good idea.
3. We were rather hoping he would leave soon.
4. I would prefer to come on Tuesday rather than on Thursday.
5. I decided to phone rather than write / writing.
6. Would you rather stay here or go home?
7. I would rather have something to eat.
8. I would rather you left me alone.
9. ‘Should I turn the heating on?’ ‘I would rather you didn’t.
10. It is important to find new markets rather than hire / hiring new people.
11. Rather than spending / spend the last of my cash for a meal, I chose to stay hungry.
12. I would rather you hadn’t said that. You upset her.
