would rather...than... vs. would...rather than...

[diamondcutter]

Context:
It’s raining. My friend invites me to take a walk. I don’t want to go outside because of the rain.
Can I say this?
1. I would rather watch TV at home than take a walk outside.

I’d like to know if I can also say the following sentence to have the same meaning as sentence #1.

2. I would watch TV at home rather than take a walk outside.

 

[5jj]

1. Yes.
2. Not with the same meaning.

 

[diamondcutter]

Would you please tell me the difference between the two sentences?

 

[diamondcutter]

If I say sentence #1, it doesn't indicate whether or not I will accept the invitation. I may accept and I may not. It just shows that I don’t like the idea.
If I say sentence #2, it indicates that I will not accept the invitation. Of course I don’t like the idea, either.

Is my understanding correct?

 

[jutfrank]

Your sentence 2 doesn't express preference, which is what I gather you're trying to do. Your sentence 1 says that between two actions, watching TV is your preference. Sentence 1 uses this structure:

would rather do something than do something else

Notice that would and rather are together as one unit. Keep them together.