"would rather"的用法如下：

一、"would rather"后接动词原形，表示“宁愿做某事”。

 【例句】

I'd rather be told the truth than be lied to. 我宁愿听真话，不愿被欺骗。
I've already seen that film, so I'd rather see another one. 我已经看过那部电影了，所以还是看部别的吧。
I'll go if you're going. If not, I'd rather stay at home. 你去我就去，否则我宁可待在家里。
I'd rather do it without anybody's help. 我宁愿不要任何人帮助，自己干这件事。
“How about a drink?” “I'd rather have something to eat.”“喝一杯怎么样?”“我宁愿来点吃的。”
注：would rather的否定式，通常要将not置于rather之后。如：I'd rather not say anything. 我宁可什么也不说。

二、"would rather"后接完成式动词，表示过去的想法，通常可译为“（本来）宁愿做某事”。

 【例句】

We went by sea, but I' d rather have gone by air. 我们是乘船去的，可我本想乘飞机去。
“At that time, I would rather have been a factory worker than an animal keeper,” he said. “那时，我宁愿做一个工厂工人，也不愿做动物饲养员，”他说道。

三、"would rather"后接从句时，从句谓语要用虚拟语气。谓语一般用过去时来表示现在或将来。其意为“宁愿……,还是…… 好些”“一个人宁愿另一个人做某事”。引导从句的that常省略。在谈到过去的动作时，谓语则用过去完成时。

 【例句】

John wants to see me today. I would rather he came to tomorrow than today. 约翰今天想去看我。我宁愿他明天来看我而不是今天。(句中came不是表示过去而是表示将来) 
We’d rather he paid us the money tomorrow. 我们宁愿他明天付给我们那笔钱。
Don’t come tomorrow. I’d rather you came next weekend. 明天别来。我希望你下周末来。