Does expression ”宁愿...也不...“ belong only to book style or I can use it in simple conversation？

Question

I just met in book such sort of expressions with ”宁愿...也不...“. I understand it like "rather...than...", but my question is: is it only book style or spoken as well, can I use such form in simple conversation?
Thank you!

Answer 1

can I use such form in simple conversation?

Yes. It's a common structure used in both written and spoken, formal and casual, context. E.g. 我宁愿把它扔掉也不给你。

Answer 2

When the context calls for it, use it in conversation, according to a quick survey of 2 friends!

我宁愿坐火车去。
I'd prefer to go by train.
我宁愿买二手货。
I prefer to buy second hand.
我宁愿跟铅管约会。
I'd rather date a lead pipe.

Answer 3

"宁愿...也不..." is actually more colloquial than "宁...不..."

"宁愿被殺也不投降" (colloquial)

"宁死不降" (literary)

~

"宁愿投降给美国，也不投降给苏朕" (colloquial)

"宁降美不降苏" (literary)

~

宁愿冤枉好人，也不放走罪人(colloquial)

宁枉毋縱 (literary)

As you can see, literary phrases are much shorter, using them is speech have a lot of benefit.

In any case, both colloquial and literary phrases are commonly used in day to day speech and written text.