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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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i prefer from

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I prefer from" is not correct and not usable in written English.
It does not convey a clear meaning and is not a standard expression in English. Example: "I prefer from the options available to me."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Music

Tech

Food

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Here Come the Warm Jets is more pop, but this is more subtle and minimalist, which is what I prefer from Eno.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Of those, I prefer profit-from-purpose, as it makes clear there is a higher purpose to the company, but profit always comes first.

News & Media

TechCrunch

We are not always on the same page — Chef Joe is more sustainable and I am more local; he loves sardines from the Mediterranean while I prefer blowfish from Narragansett Bay — but the pages keep turning, and we keep reading.

News & Media

The New York Times

I don't know about you, but I prefer leadership from leaders.

News & Media

The New York Times

"I prefer growth from internal sources as opposed to acquisitions," he said, "because I think it's more sustainable".

News & Media

The New York Times

"I prefer Penthouses from the 70's," she said of her artistic sources, "because the photographs are less explicit.

For nuance, the last line I prefer is from Henry James's Wings of a Dove: But she turned to the door, and her headshake was now the end.

"If it turns out to be a zero-sum game," he said after we left Home Pizza for Jerusalem, "I prefer war from two sides of a wall to intensive occupation".

If you find lap swimming boring, you may enjoy it more using an aquatic device that can play music or recorded books, although both Ms. Sherr and I prefer freedom from electronic intrusions and the silence that encourages minds to wander.

News & Media

The New York Times

If I want banana pudding, I prefer it from the dairy case.

News & Media

Huffington Post

For the bowl to put it in, I prefer something from the Apple Cart at 1518 Foothill Blvd.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "i prefer from". Instead, use "i prefer" followed by the object of your preference, or "i prefer to get something from" to specify a source.

Common error

Don't add 'from' directly after "i prefer" when expressing a general preference. It's grammatically incorrect and sounds awkward. Instead, specify what you prefer directly after "i prefer". For example, say "I prefer coffee" instead of "I prefer from coffee".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i prefer from" is grammatically incorrect when used to express a general preference. Instead, it should be used to indicate a source, but even then, the phrasing is awkward. Ludwig AI points out its incorrect usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "i prefer from" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in English when expressing a general preference. Ludwig AI highlights that it is not a standard or recommended construction. To express preference correctly, use "i prefer" followed by the object of your preference. If you intend to specify a source, structure your sentence as "I prefer to get it from [source]" or "I prefer buying [item] from [source]". While some examples exist, they are not indicative of correct usage and should be avoided in formal writing.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "i prefer"?

The correct usage is to follow "i prefer" directly with the object of your preference. For example, "I prefer tea" or "I prefer classical music."

What can I say instead of "i prefer from"?

Instead of "i prefer from", you can simply say "i prefer". If you want to specify a source, use "I prefer to get it from" or "I prefer buying it from".

Is it ever correct to use 'from' after 'prefer'?

Yes, but only when specifying a source or origin. For instance, "I prefer buying local produce from farmers' markets" is correct, but "i prefer from apples" is not.

What's the difference between "i prefer" and "i would rather"?

"i prefer" expresses a general liking, while "i would rather" often implies a choice between two specific options. For example, "I prefer coffee" versus "I would rather have coffee than tea".

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Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: