he prefers that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he prefers that" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express a person's preference for something or someone. Example: He prefers that we go to the park instead of the mall for our date.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

He asked me to join him and four other raconteurs — he prefers that word to the more common "storyteller" — for the second Unchained Tour.

The New York Times

Unlike most famous racing men, he prefers that sort of thing to becoming involved in the more social side of the sport.

The New Yorker

But he prefers that the room remain unmemorable.

The New Yorker

Nasty business for sure, but he prefers that the waterline stay preserved.

The New York Times

And while he has said he prefers that no right-to-work legislation arrives on his desk, he has not said he would veto it.

The New York Times

As he sees it, words weigh a dance down, and he prefers that audiences view his works with as little expectation — and as much imagination — as possible.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Stanley S. Hubbard, a Minnesota-based television executive and a donor to groups supported by the Kochs, said he preferred that approach.

The New York Times

He preferred that kind of spontaneity to the more worked and counterpointed sounds of his earlier poems.

The Guardian - Books

Kurt Warner said he preferred that his sons not play.

The New York Times

So, he is asked — would he prefer that his son go to Harvard or Princeton?

Princeton University

The hostess explained that the gentleman ate there every day, and that he preferred that table.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he prefers that", ensure the subject pronoun clearly refers to a specific individual to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "he prefers that" when the context does not clearly identify who "he" refers to. Clarify the subject to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he prefers that" functions as a means to express someone's inclination or desire for a particular action or state of affairs to occur, as supported by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

16%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he prefers that" is a grammatically correct and acceptably common way to express someone's preference for a certain outcome or action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples, demonstrating its prevalence in news and media contexts. Alternative phrases, such as "he would rather that", offer similar ways to convey preference. When using this phrase, clarity in pronoun reference is essential to avoid ambiguity. Overall, "he prefers that" serves as a useful tool for indicating preferences in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he would rather that

Expresses a preference using "would rather" instead of "prefers."

he favors that

Uses "favors" to indicate a preference, implying a positive inclination.

his preference is for

Rephrases the preference using a noun form.

he is inclined to

Suggests a tendency or leaning towards a particular choice.

he leans toward

Similar to "inclined to", indicating a directional preference.

he opts for that

Indicates a selection or choice made from available options.

he desires that

Emphasizes a strong wish or want for something.

he is keen on that

Expresses enthusiasm or fondness for something.

he is partial to that

Suggests a liking or fondness, often without a strong reason.

he gravitates towards

Indicates a natural movement or attraction towards something.

FAQs

How can I use "he prefers that" in a sentence?

You can use "he prefers that" to express someone's preference, such as "He prefers that we arrive early to the meeting" or "He prefers that his coffee is black".

What is a synonym for "he prefers that"?

Alternatives to "he prefers that" include "he would rather that", "he favors that", or "he is inclined to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he prefers that"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "he prefers that" to express a preference or inclination.

What's the difference between "he prefers that" and "he prefers to"?

"He prefers that" is used when you're specifying a desired outcome or action by someone else (e.g., "He prefers that she drives"). "He prefers to" is followed by a verb and expresses his own choice of action (e.g., "He prefers to drive").