prefer
verb OPAL S
/prɪˈfɜː(r)/
/prɪˈfɜːr/
not usually used in the progressive tensesVerb Forms
Idioms | present simple I / you / we / they prefer | /prɪˈfɜː(r)/ /prɪˈfɜːr/ |
| he / she / it prefers | /prɪˈfɜːz/ /prɪˈfɜːrz/ |
| past simple preferred | /prɪˈfɜːd/ /prɪˈfɜːrd/ |
| past participle preferred | /prɪˈfɜːd/ /prɪˈfɜːrd/ |
| -ing form preferring | /prɪˈfɜːrɪŋ/ /prɪˈfɜːrɪŋ/ |
- to like one thing or person better than another; to choose one thing rather than something else because you like it better
- prefer something ‘Coffee or tea?’ ‘I'd prefer tea, thanks.’
- I would prefer it if you didn't tell anyone.
- A local firm is to be preferred.
- A short-term fixed rate is the preferred option.
- prefer something to something I much prefer jazz to rock music.
- I prefer quality to quantity.
- prefer something over something A few people still prefer landlines over mobiles.
- Relevant experience is preferred over formal education.
- prefer something + adj. I prefer my coffee black.
- prefer to do something I much prefer to travel by train.
- The donor prefers to remain anonymous.
- I prefer not to think about it.
- She won't discuss her plans in detail, preferring instead to wait until after the election.
- prefer somebody/something to do something Would you prefer me to stay?
- prefer doing something I prefer playing in defence.
- prefer that… (formal) I would prefer that you did not mention my name.
More Like This Consonant-doubling verbsConsonant-doubling verbs- bob
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- confer
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- occur
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- star
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- acquit
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Express Yourself Expressing a preferenceExpressing a preferenceThese are ways of stating what your preferred choice is. Note that we sometimes discount our own expertise or authority before expressing our preference:- I like the red one better than/more than the green one.
- I prefer beef to lamb.
- I'd prefer to wait here.
- I'd rather go to the concert than the play.
- I think I'd rather stay in than go out tonight.
- I like swimming better than jogging.
- I think that colour's much more attractive.
- It doesn’t really matter to me whether we eat here or go out.
- I don't really mind whether we talk now or later.
- I’m happy either way.
- I don't really care either way.
- If it were up to me, I'd choose the green one.
- If you ask me, the old one looks better than the new one.
- I’m not an expert but Design B seems more eye-catching.
Grammar Point want / like / love / hate / thinkwant / like / love / hate / think- These verbs belong to a group known as stative verbs because they describe a state rather than an action (although think can describe either an action or a state). Stative verbs are not usually used in the progressive tenses. However, it is becoming more common for some stative verbs to be used with progressive tenses. Stative verbs such as want, like, love, hate and think are sometimes used in informal language to describe a state at a particular moment, or a state that continues for a period of time:
- Why are you wanting a new phone when your current one works perfectly well?
- What shall we do tonight? I’m thinking bowling.
- I’m loving the weather today!
Extra ExamplesTopics Preferences and decisionsa1- Employers naturally prefer candidates with some previous experience of the job.
- I greatly prefer this version.
- I happen to prefer action movies myself.
- I prefer his earlier paintings to his later ones.
- Industries still tend to prefer virgin raw materials to recycled ones.
- I would really prefer to teach girls.
- We can eat out if you like, but I would prefer to stay in.
- You may simply prefer just to sit on the terrace with a cocktail.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- greatly
- much
- overwhelmingly
- …
- would
- tend to
- appear to
- …
- over
- to
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French preferer, from Latin praeferre, from prae ‘before’ + ferre ‘to bear, carry’.
Idioms
bring/press/lay/prefer charges against somebody
- (law) to accuse somebody formally of a crime so that there can be a trial in court
- Police have brought a charge of dangerous driving against the man.
- Many victims of crime are reluctant to press charges against their attackers.
- She laid charges against the firm for not complying with the regulations.