I prefer to go

USAGE SUMMARY

"I prefer to go" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when expressing a personal preference or choice between two options. Example: "I prefer to go to the beach instead of the mountains for vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

So I prefer to go down swinging.

The New York Times

But I prefer to go berserk.

The Guardian

"I prefer to go barefoot rather than wear cheap shoes".

The New York Times

And he said, "I prefer to go first".

The New Yorker

Jean, I told him, is what I prefer to go by.

The New Yorker

I prefer to go traditional in a country where cuisine is still proudly regional.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

I preferred to go into my room with a sandwich.

The Guardian - Arts

I preferred to go the other way – and it worked out".

The Guardian - Sport

But I preferred to go against the grain In Iran, everyone's scared of spiders.

The Guardian

I was like, 'Come on, it's either going to happen or it is not – decision time.' I decided that if Liverpool wanted me so much, I preferred to go there.

The Guardian - Sport

"There is always this uncertainty, so I preferred to go back to the changing room and wait patiently for the outcome," Giresse said.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I prefer to go" to clearly state your choice when presenting options. It's direct and easily understood in both formal and informal settings.

Common error

While acceptable, overuse in formal contexts can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Try substituting with phrases like "My preference is" or "I would favor" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I prefer to go" functions as a declarative statement expressing a personal preference or choice. It follows a subject-verb-infinitive structure, common in English for indicating desires or tendencies. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its versatile use across contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I prefer to go" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express personal preference. As highlighted by Ludwig, this expression is very common across diverse contexts, most notably in news and media. While generally neutral, remember to consider alternatives like "My preference is" or "I would favor" in more formal settings to refine your tone. Ultimately, use "I prefer to go" when you want to clearly and directly state your chosen course of action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'd rather go

Uses a contraction of "I would" and "rather" to express preference, making it slightly more informal.

I'm more inclined to go

Directly states preference while comparing other options.

My preference is to go

Uses a more formal and direct noun phrase to state the preference.

I would favor going

Employs "favor" to express a preference, which can sound slightly more sophisticated.

I am inclined to go

Similar to "I'd be inclined to go" but without the conditional aspect, implying a current leaning.

I'd be inclined to go

Indicates a tendency or leaning towards going, suggesting a less firm preference.

I lean towards going

Similar to "inclined to go" but uses "lean" to convey a slight preference.

I am disposed to go

Uses "disposed" to express a tendency or willingness to go, sounding quite formal.

I gravitate towards going

Conveys a natural tendency or attraction to going, implying a strong inclination.

I'm partial to going

Expresses a bias or fondness for going, suggesting a somewhat subjective preference.

FAQs

How can I use "I prefer to go" in a sentence?

You can use "I prefer to go" to express a choice between options, such as "I prefer to go to the library rather than stay home".

What's a more formal alternative to "I prefer to go"?

For a more formal tone, you might say, "My preference is to go" or "I would "favor going"".

Is "I prefer going" grammatically correct?

Yes, both "I prefer to go" and "I prefer going" are grammatically correct. The infinitive form ("to go") is slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "I prefer to go" and "I'd rather go"?

"I prefer to go" expresses a general preference, while "I'd rather go" often indicates a stronger, more immediate choice.