Expressing Likes, Preferences, and Opinions: correct answers
Jump to answers ↓When you want to tell someone what you want to do, what you hate doing, or what you think about a certain topic, English requires very specific verb patterns and prepositions. Mixing up infinitives and gerunds in these phrases is one of the most frequent mistakes intermediate learners make.
Prefer vs. Would Rather
When comparing two choices, we use prefer or would rather. They express the exact same idea, but their grammar rules are entirely different.
Prefer is most commonly followed by a gerund (-ing), and we use the preposition to to introduce the second option.
✅ I prefer watching movies to climbing mountains.
❌ I prefer watching movies than climbing mountains.
Would rather is followed by a bare infinitive (the verb without "to"), and we use the word than for the comparison. ✅ I would rather stay at home than go out. ❌ I would rather to stay at home than going out.
Note: You can also say "would prefer," but this changes the rule again! "Would prefer" takes a full infinitive (to + verb). For example: I would prefer to stay home.
Expressing Strong Likes and Dislikes
When you talk about things you love or hate doing, the main verb is almost always followed by a gerund (-ing form). This applies to common verbs and phrases like enjoy, don't mind, can't stand, and loathe.
✅ I absolutely can't stand waking up early. ❌ I absolutely can't stand to wake up early.
If you are using adjectives to describe your tastes, pay close attention to the prepositions that follow them. You are keen on something, or a fan of something. Because these are prepositions, they must also be followed by a noun or a gerund.
✅ I am not very keen on cleaning the apartment today. ❌ I am not very keen in cleaning the apartment today.
Giving Your Opinion Naturally
When you want to share your thoughts, English has several fixed phrases. You can say in my opinion, to my mind, to be honest, or it seems to me.
The biggest trap for learners is trying to translate their native language's equivalent of "according to me." In English, we use according to for external sources of information (like a news article, a study, or another person). We never use it for ourselves.
✅ In my opinion, putting pineapple on pizza is a crime. ❌ According to me, putting pineapple on pizza is a crime.
Similarly, pay attention to how you structure opinion verbs. You can say "I personally find it strange," or "I am absolutely convinced that..." Memorizing these exact chunks—rather than translating word-by-word—is the secret to sounding confident and natural when negotiating plans or debating with friends!
Correct answers
Question 1
Complete the grumpy food critic's review by dragging the correct words into the blanks.
"I personally find it strange that they serve soup in a shoe. It seems to me that the waiters are just as confused as the customers. I am absolutely convinced this place will close in a month."
"I personally find it strange that they serve soup in a shoe.
The pattern find + object + adjective (e.g., "find it strange") is a very natural way to express a personal opinion or reaction in English. Using "think" or "believe" here would require adding "is" (e.g., "think it is strange").
It seems to me that the waiters are just as confused as the customers.
The correct collocation for expressing a personal impression is "it seems to me."
I am absolutely convinced this place will close in a month."
We use the -ed adjective convinced to describe how a person feels (meaning "completely sure"). The -ing form ("convincing") describes the thing that makes you believe it.
Question 2
Choose the most natural phrase to help the passionate chef defend his controversial pizza recipe.
_____, putting pineapple on a pizza is a culinary masterpiece, not a crime!
The correct answer is In my opinion.
In my opinion is the standard and most natural way to introduce your personal view in English. While we say "according to [someone else]" (e.g., according to the chef), saying "according to me" sounds very unnatural to native speakers.
Question 3
The correct answers are honest, paying, opinion, and eat.
To be honest: This is a fixed, highly natural spoken phrase used to introduce a frank opinion.
mind + gerund: The verb "mind" (especially in negative sentences or questions) must be followed by an "-ing" verb.
in my opinion: This is the standard collocation for expressing personal thoughts. (We don't say "in my idea").
would rather + bare infinitive: Even with the contraction "I'd rather," the verb that follows must be in its base form without "to."
Question 4
The correct answers are To my mind, this pizza is a culinary disaster and I am not very keen on the broccoli topping.
To my mind is a perfectly natural way to say "in my opinion."
The adjective keen is always followed by the preposition on.
Why are the others wrong? We say fond of, never "fond in." Also, while we can say "according to the chef," we almost never say "according to me" in natural English; we use "in my opinion" instead.
Question 5
Help the introverted roommate explain his ideal weekend plans by choosing the correct phrase.
I would rather stay home and watch a movie _____ to that crowded concert.
The correct answer is than go.
We use would rather to express preference. It is followed by a bare infinitive (without "to"). When comparing two actions, we connect them with than followed by another bare infinitive: would rather [stay] ... than [go].
Question 6
The correct answers are I can't stand watching romantic comedies! and I absolutely loathe action movies.
The phrase can't stand (meaning to strongly dislike) is followed by a gerund (verb + -ing).
The verb loathe is a great, dramatic way to express hatred, and it correctly takes a noun object here.
Why are the others wrong? You are a "fan of" something, not a "fan for." Furthermore, the phrase don't mind must be followed by a gerund (watching), not an infinitive (to watch).
Question 7
The correct answers are stay, to, and on.
would rather + bare infinitive: We use "would rather" followed by the base form of the verb (without "to") to express a specific preference.
prefer + noun/gerund + to + noun/gerund: When comparing two general preferences using "prefer," we link them with the preposition "to," not "than."
keen on: The adjective "keen" pairs with the preposition "on" to express that you like or are interested in something.
Question 8
The correct answers are I prefer staying in to going out and I would rather stay in than go out.
When talking about general preferences, we can use prefer + verb-ing + to + verb-ing.
When using would rather, we must use the bare infinitive (without "to") followed by than + bare infinitive.
Mixing these structures up (like "prefer to... than..." or "would rather... -ing") is a very common mistake, but Marcus got it right!
Question 9
Complete the pampered cat's diary entry by choosing the correct verb form.
I absolutely can't stand _____ up early, but I certainly don't mind forcing my human out of bed at 4 AM for breakfast.
The correct answer is waking.
In English, phrases that express strong likes, dislikes, or preferences—such as can't stand, enjoy, or don't mind—are followed by a gerund (the -ing form of the verb).
Question 10
Help the exhausted roommate express their weekend preferences by dragging the correct words into the blanks.
"To be honest, I am not very keen on cleaning the entire apartment today. I would much rather relax on the sofa with a good book. If you ask me, I prefer ordering takeout to cooking a big meal."
"To be honest, I am not very keen on cleaning the entire apartment today.
We use the preposition on after the adjective "keen" to talk about things we like or dislike doing.
I would much rather relax on the sofa with a good book.
The phrase "would rather" is followed by the bare infinitive (without "to") to express a preference.
If you ask me, I prefer ordering takeout to cooking a big meal."
When comparing two actions using "prefer + gerund," the correct preposition to link them is to (e.g., "I prefer walking to driving").