i'd sooner ou rather do x than do y
1sooner — [[t]su͟ːnə(r)[/t]] 1) Sooner is the comparative of soon. 2) PHRASE You say the sooner the better when you think something should be done as soon as possible. Detective Holt said: The kidnapper is a man we must catch and the sooner the better . 3) …
2rather — rath|er [ ræðər ] function word *** Rather can be used in the following ways: as an adverb (before an adjective or another adverb): I m feeling rather tired. She s been treated rather badly. (before a verb): He rather enjoys telling other people… …
3rather — adverb 1. /ˈraðə / (say rahdhuh) more so than not; to a certain extent; somewhat: rather good. 2. /ˈraðə / (say rahdhuh) (with verbs) in some degree (used either literally to modify a statement, or ironically to lend emphasis). 3. /ˈraðə / (say… …
4than — W1S1 [ðən strong ðæn] conj, prep [: Old English; Origin: thanne, thAnne] 1.) used when comparing two things, people, situations etc ▪ Natalie was prettier than her sister. ▪ You need that money more than I do. ▪ There were more people there than… …
5sooner rather than later — ˌsooner rather than ˈlater idiom after a short time rather than after a long time • We urged them to sort out the problem sooner rather than later. Main entry: ↑soonidiom …
6rather than — phrase used for saying that one thing is preferred to another or happens instead of another Doug chose to quit rather than admit that he’d made a mistake. Rather than criticizing your husband, why not find out if there’s something wrong? We want… …
7Rather — Rath er (r[a^][th] [ e]r; 277), adv. [AS. hra[eth]or, compar. of hra[eth]e, hr[ae][eth]e, quickly, immediately. See {Rath}, a.] [1913 Webster] 1. Earlier; sooner; before. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Thou shalt, quod he, be rather false than I. Chaucer …
8rather — [rath′ər, räth′ər; ] for interj. [ ra′thʉr′, rä′thʉr′] adv. [ME < OE hrathor, compar. of hrathe, hræthe, quickly: see RATHE] 1. Obs. more quickly; sooner 2. more willingly; preferably [would you rather have tea?] 3. with more justice, logic,… …
9would sooner — (or would just as soon) used to indicate what you want or prefer to do, have, etc. He would sooner [=would rather] lose everything than admit that he was wrong. We asked him to come with us, but he said he d just as soon stay home. • • • Main… …
10than — 1 strong conjunction 1 higher than/cheaper than etc used when comparing two things that are different to introduce the second thing: The cost of the repairs was a lot cheaper than I thought. 2 would rather/would sooner...than... used to say that… …
