Want, Would, Would Like, Would Prefer

want, would like, and would prefer require a particular construction: to want + someone + infinitive. Examples: I want her to go. I would like them to come. I would prefer you to stay.

would like is often used as a kind of conditional form of to want (instead of would want). So when expressing a preference in a polite way you should say I would like you to go and not I would want you to go.

When you say what you want someone else to do, say I would prefer and not I prefer. Example: I would prefer you not to make such comments. You use I prefer (i.e. the present tense) to talk about habitual preferences such as I prefer beer to wine.

Do not use would when you mean would like. Use would to form the conditional of all verbs (I would study more if I had time. She would go if you asked her). Instead would like is used to express a preference: I would like to study French.