prefer
[verb]
Synonyms: like better, be partial to, choose, desire, fancy, favour, go for, incline towards, opt for, pick

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

pre‧fer S2 W2 /prɪˈfɜː $ -ˈfɜːr/ verb (past tense and past participle preferred, present participle preferring) [transitive not in progressive]
[Word Family: adverb: preferably, preferentially; adjective: preferable, preferential; verb: prefer; noun: preference]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: préférer, from Latin praeferre 'to put in front, prefer']

1. to like someone or something more than someone or something else, so that you would choose it if you could ⇒ preference:
This type of owl prefers a desert habitat.
She prefers her coffee black.
the government’s preferred option
prefer somebody/something to somebody/something
a child that prefers his imaginary world to reality
Employees said they would prefer more flexible working hours.
prefer to do something
I prefer to wear clothes made of natural fibers.
Or, if you prefer, you can email us.
prefer doing something
Chantal prefers travelling by train.
prefer that
We prefer that our teachers have a degree in early childhood education.

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In everyday English, people often say they would rather do something instead of using prefer:
■ I prefer to travel by train. ➔ I'd rather travel by train.

2. I would prefer it if spoken
a) used to say that you wish a situation was different:
Sales have gone down, and obviously we’d prefer it if that didn’t happen.
b) used when telling someone politely not to do something:
I’d prefer it if you didn’t smoke in front of the children.

3. prefer charges British English law to make an official statement that someone has done something illegal

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

prefer
verb
ADV. greatly, much, strongly I much prefer the orchestra's 1998 recording of the symphony.
infinitely | simply You may simply prefer just to sit on the terrace with a cocktail.
really I would really prefer to teach girls.
rather, slightly | certainly Egg pasta is certainly preferred by many chefs.
clearly, obviously | apparently Huge majorities apparently prefer reducing unemployment to fighting inflation.
generally, usually | naturally Employers naturally prefer candidates with some previous experience of the job.
personally | still
VERB + PREFER would We can eat out if you like, but I would prefer to stay in.
tend to Industries still tend to prefer virgin raw materials to recycled ones.
seem to
PREP. to I prefer his earlier paintings to his later ones.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

prefer
verb
1.
BAD: I'd prefer to staying at a different hotel this time.
GOOD: I'd prefer to stay at a different hotel this time.

Usage Note:
prefer to do sth (NOT to doing ): 'They'd prefer to wait and see what happens.'

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2.
BAD: I'd prefer renting a small flat rather than live with a host family.
GOOD: I'd prefer to rent a small flat rather than live with a host family.

Usage Note:
When you are talking about a future or imaginary event, use (would) prefer + to do sth (NOT doing ): 'I think I'd prefer to wait a bit longer, just in case the others show up.'
Compare: 'I've always preferred eating at home to eating in restaurants.'

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3.
BAD: Why do you prefer the theatre than the cinema?
GOOD: Why do you prefer the theatre to the cinema?
BAD: I prefer drawing than painting.
GOOD: I prefer drawing to painting.

Usage Note:
prefer (doing ) sth to (doing ) sth else (NOT than ): 'He normally prefers classical music to rock.' 'Most women prefer breastfeeding to bottle feeding.'
Compare: 'I'd rather live in the North than in the South.' 'Most women would rather go out to work than stay at home all day.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲