I am sure that all the following sentences mean the same and can be used interchangeably:
a) – I prefer having a dog to a cat.
b) – I'd prefer having a dog to a cat.
c) – I prefer to have a dog rather than a cat.
d) – I'd prefer to have a dog rather than a cat.
e) – I’d rather have a dog than a cat.
If you agree with me, then I would really appreciate it if somebody could tell me why #1 and #4 among the examples bellow that have used exactly the same structure, have awkward implications:
1 – I prefer being at home right now to here. ===> (Why does this sentence sound too awkward to the Americans?)
2 – I prefer to be at home right now rather than here.
3 – I’d prefer to be at home right now rather than here.
4 – I’d rather be at home right now than here. ===> (Why does this sentence sound too awkward to an American?)
Added: Perhaps I should think twice about what @FumbleFingers had said in the link bellow:
A comparison between the structures "would rather" and "would prefer"
Comment #3 (specially about the structure " 'd rather "!)
Best Answer
The first 5 sentences are not actually interchangeable. A and C indicate that you do have a dog (and prefer that to having a cat), while the others simple say you would rather have a dog than a cat.
1 - I prefer being at home right now to here.
This is awkward because: 1: "I prefer being at home right now" indicates that you are at home right now, and prefer it to being elsewhere. But "to here" indicates that you are here -- and that "here" is not "at home." You're essentially trying to be in two places at once, verbally.
2 - I prefer to be at home right now rather than here.
Same problem. "I prefer to be at home right now" verbally places you at home, while "than here" verbally places you "here" which isn't "at home." Again, you are in two places at once, in this sentence.
3 - I’d prefer to be at home right now rather than here.
This sentence is fine.
4 - I’d rather be at home right now than here.
This sentence could work, but it's awkward. (Using a comma to make it "I'd rather be at home right now, than here" makes it slightly better.) It's because English doesn't like breaking up certain words, and "rather than" are words that usually want to stick together. Really, the "than here" is redundant; you could end the sentence at "right now" and be fine.