Word Usage
Mary W. Ng
June 26, 2009
would just as soon ...,
would just as soon ... as ...,
would just as soon ... than ...,
would sooner ... than ...
The phrase would just as soon is used with a verb to say what one prefers to do.
| Correct: | It was an experience he would just as soon forget. |
The phrase would just as soon ... as ... or would sooner ... than ... is used with two different verbs to say what one prefers to do rather than another.
| Correct: | I would just as soon walk as wait for the bus. |
| Correct: | I would sooner walk than wait for the bus. |
The phrase would just as soon ... than ... is incorrect.
| Incorrect: | I would just as soon stay at home than go shopping. |
| Correct: | I would just as soon stay at home as go shopping. |