I had rather vs I had sooner

Both 'I had rather' and 'I had sooner' are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. 'I had rather' is used to express a preference, while 'I had sooner' is used to indicate that something would be preferable or better to happen sooner rather than later.

Last updated: April 03, 2024 • 100 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a preference.

"I had rather"

This phrase is used to indicate a preference for one thing over another. It is often followed by the verb in the past tense.

Examples:

I had rather stay home than go out tonight.
I had rather you didn't tell anyone about this.
I had rather eat pizza than sushi.
I had rather read a book than watch TV.
I had rather go for a walk in the park.

Show examples from the web [+]

I had rather die than show the least offensive thought.
Yet I had rather forfeit popularity forever than vote away the blood and happiness of my countrymen.
To tell YOU plain, I had rather lie in prison.
I had rather lie in the woolen.
CHARMIAN I had rather heat my liver with drinking.
I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth than it should do offense to Michael cassio.
Yet I had rather forfeit popularity forever than vote away the blood and happiness of my countrymen.
I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth than it should do offense to Michael cassio.
I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace,
crows and daws! I had rather be such a man as Troilus than Agamemnon and all Greece.
In a new introduction, in which Holmes directly addressed his opponents, he wrote: "I had rather rescue one mother from being poisoned by her attendant, than claim to have saved forty out of fifty patients to whom I had carried the disease."
I had rather lie in the woollen.
Had I a dozen sons, I had rather eleven die nobly for their country, than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.
I had rather crack my sinews, break my back than you should such dishonor undergo while I sit lazy by.
I had rather chop this hand off at a blow, And with the other fling it at thy face, Than bear so low a sail.
No, precious creature; I had rather crack my sinews, break my back, than you should such dishonour undergo, While I sit lazy by.
OCTAVIUS CAESARPossess it, I'll make answer: But I had rather fast from all four days Than drink so much in one.
I had rather hoped she'd be a permanent fixture.
I had rather expected to be buried in England. No.
I had rather be like you.

Alternatives:

I would rather
I prefer
I'd rather
I'd prefer

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something would be preferable or better to happen sooner rather than later.

"I had sooner"

This phrase is used to express that something would be better if it happened sooner. It is often followed by the verb in the past tense.

Examples:

I had sooner finish this project before the deadline.
I had sooner you apologized to her.
I had sooner we left now.
I had sooner he called me back.
I had sooner we got started on this.

Show examples from the web [+]

Maybe she would still be alive if I had called sooner.
I only wished I had arrived sooner. I might have helped in some way.
I had no sooner thought that we were up on a ledge, at the first tier of cells.
I wish I had gone back sooner, given Dad more time with Deanna.
I had a feeling sooner or later you'd want it.
If I had told you sooner, maybe it wouldn't have been so much of a shock.
I wish I had known it sooner.
To be honest, seeing the way that Ezra and Malcolm have bonded over the past few weeks, I wish I had told him sooner.
We have had so much rain this year, that I wish I had started collecting sooner. 我们曾经在今年雨水这么多, 我想我已经开始收集越快.
I had to grow up sooner or later.
If I had opened my veins sooner to write the laws that brought us peace... maybe she'd still be alive.
I knew the lever is faulty, I had to go out sooner.
Like I said, I wish I had listened to you sooner.
If I had just forgiven her sooner, maybe we wouldn't be in the mess we're in now.
No, I had to do it sooner or later.
If I had known sooner, how much you loved me,
If I had known that sooner, then perhaps I wouldn't have made an enemy of someone who might otherwise have been a dear, dear friend.
If I had just gotten there sooner, if he hadn't held me up...
And he got upset that I hadn't told him sooner and... then we didn't really talk much after that.
Kevin, can you tell Glen I wish I had reached out sooner?

Alternatives:

I would rather
It would be better if
It would be preferable if
It would be best if

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

Emails and short texts
Proofreading & editing
Ready in 5-10 minutes

SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

Documents of any type (*.docx)
Advanced & Premium editing
Ready in as little as 4 hours

UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

Personalized answers to your language questions
Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
Ready in 24 hours

ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

3. Receive Your Polished Text

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Zubair
from Bangladesh

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Arturo
from Mexico

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Selena
from USA

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Ifiok
from Nigeria

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Wilson
from France

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Susan
from Germany

I had rather vs I had sooner

"I had rather"

"I had sooner"

2. Submit Your Text

3. Receive Your Polished Text