寧可／寧願...，也... expresses strong preference for one option even at the cost of an undesirable consequence.
Cost-accepting preference - chooses principle over comfort
Value stance marker - often moral/emotional commitment
Forceful contrast - rejected alternative implied strongly
See examples below for varied real-world usage.
Stronger than ordinary preference words
- Signals firm stance, not mild liking.
Keep trade-off explicit
- Both chosen and tolerated outcomes should be clear.
Parallel clause structure improves readability
- Align both halves semantically.
I would rather go slower than do it wrong.
He would rather earn less than break trust.
We would rather redo it than submit a wrong version.
She would rather wake up early than be late.
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