Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[welkins2139]

"I should like to come to the theatre with you, Lord Henry,"
said the lad.

"Then you shall come; and you will come, too, Basil, won't you?"


"I can't, really. I would sooner not. I have a lot of work to do."
"Well, then, you and I will go alone, Mr. Gray."


Would you explain the bold text?

Is 'sooner' a verb?

Thank you

[myprofe]

I would sooner not means that I would rather not I would prefer not. It's not common in American English.
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