prefer
B1Neutral to Formal (depending on pattern). Common in all registers.
Definition
Meaning
to like or want one thing more than another.
To formally put forward a proposal, charge, or case for consideration; to favour or promote one option over others based on a subjective or objective advantage.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a choice between alternatives. Often involves a comparative judgement ('to' vs 'than'). Can indicate a habitual liking or a specific choice in a given situation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In formal British English, 'prefer ... to ...' is traditionally prescribed (e.g., I prefer tea to coffee). In American English, 'prefer ... than ...' and 'prefer ... over ...' are more common and generally accepted, though 'to' remains standard. The pattern 'prefer that + clause (subjunctive)' is slightly more formal and common in AmE.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in BrE when using the strict 'to' pattern. 'Prefer ... over ...' can sound more pragmatic or business-like.
Frequency
The word itself is equally frequent in both varieties. The syntactic patterns show the main variation.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
prefer X to Yprefer X over Yprefer to do somethingprefer doing somethingprefer that + clause (subjunctive)would prefer + if clauseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Prefer charges (against someone) - to make a formal accusation.”
- “Leave much to be preferred - to be unsatisfactory.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The client prefers a phased implementation over a big-bang approach."
Academic
"The study's methodology prefers qualitative analysis to quantitative metrics in this initial phase."
Everyday
"Do you prefer walking or taking the bus?"
Technical
"The algorithm prefers nodes with the lowest heuristic cost."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I prefer Earl Grey to English Breakfast tea.
- The committee would prefer that the matter be discussed in private.
- She prefers cycling to work.
American English
- We prefer the blue option over the red one.
- He'd prefer if you called before visiting.
- I prefer to work remotely on Fridays.
adverb
British English
- N/A (No direct adverbial form. Use 'preferably').
American English
- N/A (No direct adverbial form. Use 'preferably').
adjective
British English
- The preferred method of contact is email.
- This is our preferred supplier list.
American English
- What's your preferred payment method?
- She is the preferred candidate for the role.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I prefer apples.
- Do you prefer summer or winter?
- He prefers football.
- I prefer watching films at home to going to the cinema.
- Would you prefer tea or coffee?
- They prefer not to work at weekends.
- Given the choice, I'd infinitely prefer to tackle the problem head-on.
- The council prefers that new buildings adhere to the traditional aesthetic.
- I generally prefer Italian cuisine, but I make an exception for good sushi.
- The arbitrator, preferring a pragmatic solution over a strictly legalistic one, proposed a compromise.
- One might prefer the earlier hypothesis on grounds of parsimony.
- The model preferentially allocates resources to the highest-priority tasks.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PRE-choice + FER (to carry/bring). You 'carry forward' or 'bring forward' one option as your chosen one.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHOICE IS A BALANCE (weighing options); FAVOURITISM IS ELEVATION (lifting one option above others).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'предпочитать' + accusative alone. English requires a second object or an infinitive (prefer tea TO coffee, prefer TO stay).
- Confusing 'would prefer' (for a specific situation) with 'prefer' (general liking).
- Overusing 'more prefer' – 'prefer' itself is comparative.
Common Mistakes
- *I prefer coffee than tea. (Use 'to' or 'over' in standard English)
- *She prefers read books. (Use 'to read' or 'reading')
- *I am preferring this colour. (Avoid continuous for general states; use simple present)
- *I would prefer you to come tomorrow. (Correct, but very formal/AmE. More common: 'I'd prefer it if you came tomorrow' or 'I'd prefer you coming tomorrow'.)
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence is grammatically correct in formal British English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'prefer' itself means 'like more', so 'more prefer' is redundant. Use 'strongly prefer' or 'much prefer' instead.
'Prefer' is for general likes (I prefer tea). 'Would prefer' is for a specific choice in an imaginary or future situation (I'd prefer tea today).
Yes. Both 'prefer to do' and 'prefer doing' are correct, with a slight nuance. 'Prefer to do' can feel more specific, while 'prefer doing' can feel more general.
For nouns/gerunds: 'to' (BrE standard) or 'over' (common in AmE). Do not use 'than' in standard usage. For infinitives, no preposition is needed ('prefer to read').