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Mon 26 Jun, 2006 02:09 pm
Would you prefer to take a video or an art class?
a- I´d prefer studying video to learning about art.
b - I´d prefer to study video.
c- I´d prefer studying video.
Which answer is correct? (a,b or c?) I ask this because in Murphy´s "grammar in use" he says that the answer for the question - "should we take the train? is - "No, I´d prefer to drive" and not "I´d prefer driving."
Can I say - " I´d prefer to stay home tonight than to go out" and "I´d prefer to stay home tonight than go out" - or should I say- "I´d prefer to stay home tonight rather than go out"? -
Thanks for your help.
Welcome to A2K, jose. You are dealing with verbals, but I won't go into that.
The main thing is to keep your sentences parallel. In other words:
I would prefer studying video than studying art. (parallel structure, because you are using the same verbal( "studying" )
B. is fine
C. is fine.
For formal writing, it is best not to use contractions.