【问】 would prefer与would rather都作“宁愿”解，不知他们有无区别。

【答】 would prefer与would rather虽然都作“宁愿”解，但是它们的用法却有很大的区别。would prefer后接带to的动词不定式，而would rather则要求接不带to的动词不定式。例如：

1. What would you rather have，an apple or a piece of cake? (JED)

你愿意要什么，是苹果还是糕点?

2. I would prefer to work.

我宁愿工作。

3. I would (should)prefer to wait until evening.

我宁愿等到晚上。

另外，would prefer还可以接名词和动名词(比较罕见)，而would rather则不能：

I’d prefer a cup of tea.

我宁愿来一杯茶。

(参见 would rather...than/would prefer...rather than)