A lot of students use the word ‘prefer’ in their essays. Unfortunately, very few of them actually manage to use it correctly. We use a variety of words and structures to show preference. Students often mix them incorrectly.
In this lesson, I will explain the correct usage of prefer.
Note that prefer is a transitive verb. That means it must be followed by an object. The object of a verb can be a noun, an –ing form (gerund) or a to-infinitive.
Study the examples given below.
- I prefer biographies. (Here the object (biographies) is a noun.)
- I prefer reading. (Here the object (reading) is an –ing form.)
- I prefer to read. (Here the object (to read) is a to-infinitive.)
As you can see, ‘prefer’ can be followed by three types of words – nouns, -ing forms and to-infinitives.
You can prefer A to B or you can prefer A instead of B. Note that if you prefer ice-creams to chocolates, you like ice-creams more.
Study the examples:
- I prefer bikes to cars.
- I prefer reading to writing.
- I prefer walking instead of driving.
- I prefer to walk rather than drive.
Do not mix infinitives and –ing forms.
- Correct: I prefer walking to riding.
- Incorrect: I prefer walking to ride.
Here are possible structures with prefer
Subject + prefer + ing form + to + ing form
- I prefer reading biographies to watching films. (NOT I prefer reading biographies to watch films)
The word ‘to’ is a preposition. After a preposition, you cannot use an infinitive. Note that the infinitive also takes the marker ‘to’ but that ‘to’ is different from the preposition ‘to’.
Subject + prefer + ing form + rather than + ing form.
- I prefer reading biographies rather than watching films.
- I prefer playing with my children rather than partying with my friends.
Subject + prefer + to-infinitive + rather than + infinitive without to
- I prefer to read biographies rather than watch films.
- I prefer to bake my cakes myself rather than buy them from the bakery.
- I prefer to play with my kids rather than party with my friends.
Subject + prefer + ing form + instead of + ing form
Note that you cannot use an infinitive after ‘instead of’.
- I prefer reading biographies instead of watching films.
- I prefer playing with my kids instead of partying with my friends.
Note that instead of ‘prefer’, you can write ‘would prefer’. The sentence patterns are the same. ‘Would prefer’ is used to talk about imaginary situations.
Compare:
- I prefer to live in the hills rather than live near the sea. (Real and possible)
- I would prefer to live in the hills rather than live near the sea. (Imaginary situation – maybe a wish)
- I prefer to spend time with my children rather than go to the club.
- I prefer spending time with my children rather than going to the club.
Instead of prefer, you can use ‘would rather’.
Sentence pattern: Subject + would rather + infinitive without to + than + infinitive without to.
- I would rather read biographies than watch films.
- I would rather play with my kids than party with my friends.
Note that –ing forms are not possible in this structure.
How do you use the word «prefer» in English? In this post, we will look at FIVE common structures, and one common mistake that some English learners make with this everyday word.
First, let’s take a look at two brief conversations:
Conversation 1
Sammy: Do you prefer horror movies or kung-fu movies?
David: I definitely prefer kung-fu movies.
Conversation 2
Ruby: Do you prefer listening to rock or jazz?
Eddie: In general, I prefer listening to jazz.
Prefer + object of preference
The structure in conversation 1 is simple to see. You use the verb «prefer» plus your preference. Here is another example of this usage:
Sammy: Do you like tea?
David: I don’t mind tea, but I prefer coffee.
When we prefer something, we like it more than something else. Someone can ask you if you like something, and you can answer «yes» or «no,» then state your preference, as in the tea and coffee example above. (You can also say «I like coffee more than tea.»)
Prefer + gerund (verb+ing)
In conversation 2, we are talking about a general preference for an activity. We usually use a gerund (verb+ing) to do this. Here is another example of this usage:
Mio: Do you like going to the movies on weekends?
Hector: Sometimes. But honestly, I prefer staying home on weekends.
Prefer + to-infinitive
When you want to mention a specific instance or moment of preference, you should usually use «prefer» plus a to-infinitive. Here are two examples of this usage:
Jane: Are you going to take your bike to the park?
Emily: Nah. I prefer to walk. (Note: «I prefer walking» is also fine to express that Emily generally prefers walking instead of taking her bike.)
Aaron: Do you want some help with that?
Rita: No, I prefer to do it by myself.
In these cases, you can also use «would prefer» in the same way you use «would like» to state your preference at a particular moment, and because the potential action is still just a possibility. Here are the same sentences, but with «would prefer» instead of «prefer»:
Jane: Are you going to take your bike to the park?
Emily: Nah. I would prefer to walk.
Aaron: Do you want some help with that?
Rita: No, I would prefer to do it by myself. (In this case, the possibility of Rita NOT doing it by herself is an available option, but she is saying «If I had the option of having help or doing it by myself, I would prefer to do it by myself.»)
What about «prefer…to»?
If you want to compare two things or activities and state which one you like better in general, you should use «prefer…to.» Note the examples:
Terry: «Do you like Coke or Pepsi?»
Shirley: «I prefer Coke to Pepsi.» (Or: «I like Coke more than Pepsi.»)
Isaac: «Do you prefer reading books or watching TV?»
Doug: «I very much prefer reading books to watching TV.»
As you can see, when you want to compare two objects OR your general preference between two activities (remember: Use a gerund!), use «prefer…to.»
In casual settings, you can also say you prefer something over something else. For example: «I prefer steak over porkchops» or «He prefers cooking over cleaning.»
What about «prefer…than»?
Use «prefer…than» when you use the prefer + to-infinitive structure. Take a look at these conversations:
Toni: «Do you want to drive or take the bus?»
Rosa: «I prefer to drive than to take the bus.» (Note: You can also use «I would prefer» in these cases, or say «I prefer driving to taking the bus» to state your general preference when you are given these options.)
Jamie: «Do you prefer to do yoga or to go jogging?»
Britt: «I prefer to go jogging than to do yoga.» (Or: «I prefer jogging to yoga.»)
It is important to note that it’s not just English as a second language learners who sometimes make mistakes with these structures. In casual situations, some 1st language English speakers sometimes mix up these rules as well. For example, at a pub, you might hear, «I prefer singing than dancing!» when it should be «I prefer singing to dancing!»
Common mistake
There is a common mistake that many people make with «prefer.» You have already seen it in the pub example above. While it is sometimes accepted depending on the people around you and the situation you are in, you should do your best to avoid it. Here are multiple examples of the mistake and the correct form.
«He prefers books than TV.»
«He prefers books to TV.»
«When I was a kid, I preferred playing outside than staying at home.»
«When I was a kid, I preferred playing outside to staying at home.»
«Do you prefer swimming than cycling?»
«Do you prefer swimming to cycling?»
If you really want to use «than» to discuss your preferences in these cases, remember that you need to use the verb «like» and the phrase «more than.» Note the examples:
«He likes books more than TV.»
«When I was a kid, I liked playing outside more than staying at home.»
«Do you like swimming more than cycling?»
I hope you have found this information useful! Tell me in the comments: What do YOU prefer?
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Tea or coffee? (Ex: «I prefer tea to coffee.»)
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Cooking or cleaning?
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Books or TV?
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Driving or taking public transportation?
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Learning online or learning in a classroom?
See you in the comments, and until next time, I wish you success in your studies!
Сегодня мы поговорим о слове prefer, которое широко используется как и в устной, так и в письменной речи в английском языке. С помощью этого глагола мы говорим о своих предпочтениях и вкусах.
В этой статье вы узнаете, когда мы используем prefer и would prefer в английском языке, и как правильно строить предложения с этими словами.
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Использование и перевод prefer в английском языке
Слово prefer переводится как «предпочитаю». Этот глагол выражает предпочтения человека. С его помощью мы говорим, что нам нравится. Причем мы говорим о своих постоянных вкусах, то есть о том, что предпочитаем всегда, а не в какой-то конкретной ситуации.
Мы используем prefer, когда говорим:
1. Нам нравится что-то/кто-то больше, чем кто-то/что-то еще
Например: Она предпочитает кошек собакам.
He prefers blondes to brunettes.
Он предпочитает блондинок брюнеткам.
They prefer coffee to tea.
Они предпочитают кофе чаю.
2. Нам нравиться делать что-то больше, чем выполнять другое действие
Например: Она предпочитает заниматься спортом, чем смотреть телевизор.
She prefers speaking English to speaking French.
Она предпочитает разговаривать на английском, чем на французском.
I prefer staying at home to going fishing.
Я предпочитаю остаться дома, чем пойти на рыбалку.
Утвердительные предложения с глаголом prefer
Так как мы говорим о постоянных предпочтениях, в предложении мы используем время Present Simple. Есть 3 вида того, как мы можем построить предложение с этим глаголом.
1. Сравниваем два предмета
Действующее лицо + prefer(s) + одна вещь + to + другая вещь
Этот образец мы используем, когда говорим, что предпочитаем одну вещь другой. Так как в предложении используется время Present Simple, то если речь идет о ком-то (он, она, оно), то к нашему prefer прибавляется окончание -s.
| I | ||||
| You | ||||
| We | prefer | coffee | tea | |
| They | dogs | to | cats | |
| She | pencils | pens | ||
| He | prefers | |||
| It |
Примеры:
We prefer fish to meat.
Мы предпочитаем рыбу мясу.
He prefers serials to movies.
Он предпочитает сериалы фильмам.
2. Сравниваем два действия
Действующее лицо + prefer(s) + действие с окончанием -ing + to + действие с окончанием -ing
Когда мы говорим, что предпочитаем делать что-то, чем делать что-то другое, к нашему действию мы добавляем окончание -ing, показывая, что это процесс.
| I | ||||
| You | ||||
| We | prefer | eating | drinking | |
| They | walking | to | driving | |
| She | reading | watching | ||
| He | prefers | |||
| It |
Примеры:
They prefer jogging to doing the exercises.
Они предпочитают бегать трусцой, чем делать упражнения.
She prefers washing the dishes to sweeping a floor.
Она предпочитает мыть посуду, чем подметать полы.
3. Сравниваем два действия и разные предметы
Действующее лицо + prefer(s) + to действие + rather than + действие
Такая конструкция часто употребляется, когда речь идет об одном и том же действии, но разных предпочтениях. Она позволяет не повторять это действие два раза в одном предложении. Например, я предпочитаю принимать холодный душ, чем (принимать) горячий душ.
| I | ||||
| You | ||||
| We | prefer | to eat sweets | (eat) vegetables | |
| They | to live in a flat | rather than | (live) in a house | |
| She | to watch horrors | (watch) comedy | ||
| He | prefers | |||
| It |
Примеры:
I prefer to read books rather than (read) magazines.
Я предпочитаю читать книги, чем (читать) журналы.
He prefers to sleep on a floor rather than (sleep) in a bed.
Он предпочитает спать на полу, чем (спать) в кровати.
Вопросительные предложение с глаголом prefer в английском языке
Чтобы спросить человека, что он предпочитает, мы используем вспомогательные глаголы do/does в зависимости от действующего лица.
1. Сравниваем два предмета
Do/does + действующее лицо + prefer + одна вещь + to + другая вещь
| I | |||||
| you | |||||
| Do | we | coffee | tea? | ||
| they | prefer | dogs | to | cats? | |
| she | pencils | pens? | |||
| Does | he | ||||
| it |
Примеры:
Do you prefer apples to pears?
Ты предпочитаешь яблоки грушам?
Does she prefer roses to daisies?
Она предпочитает розы маргариткам?
2. Сравниваем два действия
Do/does + действующее лицо + prefer + действие с окончанием -ing + to + действие с окончанием -ing
| I | |||||
| you | |||||
| Do | we | eating | drinking? | ||
| they | prefer | walking | to | driving? | |
| she | reading | watching? | |||
| Does | he | ||||
| it |
Примеры:
Do they prefer writing letters to calling a phone?
Они предпочитают писать письма, чем звонить по телефону?
Does he prefer taking out the garbage to doing the laundry?
Он предпочитает выносить мусор, чем стирать?
3. Сравниваем два действия и разные предметы
Do/does + действующее лицо + prefer + to действие + rather than + действие
| I | |||||
| you | |||||
| Do | we | to eat sweets | (eat) vegetables? | ||
| they | prefer | to live in a flat | rather than | (live) in a house? | |
| she | to watch horrors | (watch) comedy? | |||
| Does | he | ||||
| it |
Примеры:
Do you prefer to drink milk rather than tea?
Ты предпочитаешь пить молоко, чем чай?
Does she prefer to work at home rather than at the office?
Она предпочитает работать дома, чем в офисе?
Использование would prefer в английском языке
Мы используем would prefer чаще всего, когда говорим о предпочтениях не в целом, а о том, что бы вы предпочли в конкретной ситуации. Также would делает эту фразу более вежливой. Чтобы составить предложение с would prefer мы используем те же конструкции, что и с prefer.
1. Сравниваем два предмета
Действующее лицо + would prefer + одна вещь + to + другая вещь
Примеры:
I would prefer water to tea.
Я бы предпочла воду чаю.
She would prefer a backpack to a bag.
Она бы предпочла рюкзак сумке.
2. Сравниваем два действия
Действующее лицо + would prefer + действие с окончанием -ing + to + действие с окончанием -ing
Примеры:
She would prefer reading the book to shopping.
Она бы предпочла почитать книгу, чем ходить по магазинам.
They would prefer sleeping to working.
Она предпочли бы спать, чем работать.
3. Сравниваем два действия и разные предметы
Действующее лицо + would prefer + to действие + rather than + действие
Примеры:
We would prefer to eat at home rather than eat at the restaurant.
Мы предпочли бы поесть дома, чем в ресторане.
He would prefer to dance alone rather than with her.
Он бы предпочел танцевать один, чем с ней.
Итак, сегодня мы разобрали, как в английском языке говорить о своих предпочтениях с помощью глаголов prefer и would prefer. А теперь давайте закрепим теоретические знания на практике.
Задание на закрепление
Переведите следующие предложения на английский язык. Свои ответы оставляйте в комментариях.
1. Она предпочитает ездить на поезде, чем летать на самолете.
2. Мы предпочитаем платить картой, чем платить наличными.
3. Ты предпочитаешь красное вино белому?
4. Они предпочитают жить в деревне, чем жить в городе.
5. Он предпочел бы смотреть футбол, чем чинить телевизор.
6. Она предпочитает кататься на коньках, чем на лыжах?
7. Они предпочли бы минеральную воду соку.
8. Он предпочитает хоккей футболу?
- Top Definitions
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This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
verb (used with object), pre·ferred, pre·fer·ring.
to set or hold before or above other persons or things in estimation; like better; choose rather than: to prefer beef to chicken.
Law. to give priority, as to one creditor over another.
to put forward or present (a statement, suit, charge, etc.) for consideration or sanction.
to put forward or advance, as in rank or office; promote: to be preferred for advancement.
verb (used without object)
to wish or feel inclined: For this stir-fry you can skip the cashews if you prefer.
QUIZ
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Origin of prefer
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English preferren, prefer(re), from Anglo-French, Old French preferer, from Latin praeferre “to bear before, set before, prefer,” equivalent to prae- pre- + ferre to bear1
synonym study for prefer
OTHER WORDS FROM prefer
pre·fer·red·ly [pri-fur-id-lee, —furd-lee], /prɪˈfɜr ɪd li, -ˈfɜrd li/, adverbpre·fer·red·ness, nounpre·fer·rer, nounun·pre·ferred, adjective
Words nearby prefer
prefect, prefect apostolic, prefectorial, prefecture, prefecture apostolic, prefer, preferable, preferably, preference, preference share, preference shares
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Words related to prefer
adopt, choose, go for, pick, promote, put, select, suggest, wish, advance, aggrandize, cull, desire, elect, elevate, fancy, finger, incline, mark, place
How to use prefer in a sentence
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While Pelosi prefers to do a comprehensive relief package, one policy she is said to be considering is a $75 billion bill that would bolster coronavirus testing and tracing programs nationwide.
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Viruses, which hijack cells to copy their proteins, have, predictably, evolved a taste for the same codons that human cells prefer.
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I prefer to keep the mobile version on the left-hand side and desktop version of the source code on the right-hand side.
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This easel-style calendar doesn’t ask a whole lot of you, and some people rightfully prefer their office supplies that way.
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While companies still overwhelmingly prefer board candidates with prior public board experience—72% of this year’s new picks had that record—they’re slowly accepting different kinds of leaders.
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This final episode of Extras is the perfect Christmastime escape for those who prefer the bittersweet to the saccharine.
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Environmentalists today generally prefer to limit roads and block new water projects, even in parched California.
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We prefer to wave away the warning signs; like The Interview, Mulholland Drive was comfortably downplayed as over-the-top satire.
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Both are offering original programing designed to be viewed however you prefer—one episode at a time or all at once.
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And even those who consider themselves great patriots prefer to keep their savings in foreign currency.
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We prefer the American volume of Hochelaga to the Canadian one, although both are highly interesting.
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For instance, few workmen will take a holiday; they prefer a «day’s out» or «play.»
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The Cockalorum pondered over this for a moment, and then murmuring, «I prefer croquet,» floundered away through the waving grass.
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The Russians, on the contrary, prefer orange-yellow transparent specimens.
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It is immaterial to whom the transfer is made if the purpose be to prefer one creditor to another.
British Dictionary definitions for prefer
verb -fers, -ferring or -ferred
(when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to like better or value more highlyI prefer to stand
law to give preference, esp to one creditor over others
(esp of the police) to put (charges) before a court, judge, magistrate, etc, for consideration and judgment
(tr; often passive) to advance in rank over another or others; promote
Derived forms of prefer
preferrer, noun
Word Origin for prefer
C14: from Latin praeferre to carry in front, prefer, from prae in front + ferre to bear
usage for prefer
Normally, to is used after prefer and preferable, not than: I prefer Brahms to Tchaikovsky; a small income is preferable to no income at all . However, than or rather than should be used to link infinitives: I prefer to walk than/rather than to catch the train
Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Prefer to do and Prefer doing / rather / would rather
Learn english Grammar : Prefer to do and Prefer doing
Prefer to do and prefer doing
You can use ‘prefer to (do)’ or ‘prefer -ing‘ to say what you prefer in general:
I don’t like cities. I prefer to live in the country. or I prefer living in the country.
Study the differences in structure after prefer. We say:
| I prefer | something | to something else | |
| I prefer | doing something | to doing something else | |
| but | I prefer | to do something | rather than (do) something else |
I prefer this coat to the coat you were wearing yesterday.
I prefer driving to travelling by train.
but
I
prefer to drive rather than travel by train.
Sarah prefers to live in the country rather than (live) in a city.
Would prefer (I’d prefer … )
We use would prefer to say what somebody wants in a specific situation (not in general):
‘Would you prefer tea or coffee?’ ‘Coffee, please.’
We say ‘would prefer to do something’ (not usually would prefer doing):
‘Shall we go by train?’ ‘I’d prefer to drive.’ (not I’d prefer driving)
I’d prefer to stay at home tonight rather than go to the cinema.
Would rather (I’d rather … )
Would rather (do)= would prefer (to do). We use would rather+ infinitive (without to). Compare:
‘Shall we go by train?’ ‘I’d prefer to drive.’/’I’d rather drive.’ (not to drive)
‘Would you rather have tea or coffee?’ ‘Coffee, please.’
The negative is ‘I’d rather not (do somethingf:
I’m tired. I’d rather not go out this evening, if you don’t mind.
‘Do you want to go out this eveningt ‘I’d rather not.’
We say ‘would rather do something than do something else’:
I’d rather stay at home tonight than go to the cinema.
I’d rather somebody did something
We say ‘I’d rather you did something’ (not I’d rather you do). For example:
‘Who’s going to drive, you or me?’ ‘I’d rather you drove.’ (= I would prefer this)
‘Jack says he’ll repair your bike tomorrow, OK?’ ‘I’d rather he did it today.’
Are you going to tell Anna what happened, or would you rather I told her?
In this structure we use the past (drove, did etc.), but the meaning is present not past. Compare:
I’d rather make dinner now.
I’d rather you made dinner now. (not I’d rather you make)
I’d rather you didn’t (do something) = I’d prefer you not to do it:
I’d rather you didn’t tell anyone what I said.
‘Are you going to tell Anna what happened?’ ‘No. I’d rather she didn’t know.’
‘Shall I tell Anna what happened?’ ‘I’d rather you didn’t.‘