prefer something to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prefer something to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a preference for one thing over another. Example: "I prefer tea to coffee in the morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If he rejects it, neither gets a penny.According to standard economic theory, as long as the first player offers the second any money at all, his proposal will be accepted, because the second player prefers something to nothing.

The Economist

And preferring something to something else, even following 17th century usage, is not a matter of forwarding, advancing, or promoting X over Y.

SEP

Finally, Prof Wilson's team did the electric shock experiment to try to find out if quiet, solo thinking was unpleasant enough that people would actually prefer something nasty to happen.

BBC

It seems people prefer something free to something cheaper.

TechCrunch

Nowadays, though, I prefer something more exposed to the elements -- like a terrace in Provence, or perhaps the garden at Barbetta on West 46th Street.

The New York Times - Food

"Younger users seem to prefer something more ephemeral, something that changes moment by moment," he said.

The Guardian - Tech

Do you prefer something briny, tough, and to the point?

Huffington Post

The Parlotones, South Africa's answer to Coldplay, prefer something spicy, rich, plummy and fruity.

Independent

Prefer something tougher than walking?

The New York Times

I prefer something more uncouth".

The Guardian - Sport

We'd prefer something more uplifting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For emphasis, consider using "much prefer" or "strongly prefer" to indicate a significant difference in preference.

Common error

Avoid using prepositions other than "to" after "prefer" when comparing two things. Incorrect: "I prefer tea than coffee." Correct: "I prefer tea to coffee."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prefer something to" functions as a verb phrase used to express a preference or inclination for one thing over another. It indicates a choice based on personal taste, benefit, or suitability. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prefer something to" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express a preference. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, from formal writing to everyday conversation. It's crucial to use the correct preposition "to" rather than "than" and ensure parallel grammatical structure when comparing items. By mastering these nuances, you can effectively communicate your preferences with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

favor something over

Replaces "prefer" with "favor", implying a stronger inclination.

lean towards something rather than

Indicates a tendency or inclination towards one thing over another.

opt for something instead of

Emphasizes the act of choosing one option over another.

would rather have something than

Expresses preference using "would rather", implying a conditional choice.

choose something over

Directly states the act of choosing one thing instead of another.

like something better than

Uses "like better" to express a preference, which is less formal.

gravitate towards something more than

Suggests a natural tendency to move towards one option.

have a preference for something over

Formal way to express preference with the noun "preference".

be more inclined to something than

Indicates a stronger inclination towards one option.

find something more appealing than

Focuses on the appeal of one option compared to another.

FAQs

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

Use "prefer something to" to express a choice where you like one thing more than another. For example, "I prefer something to nothing", indicates that one would choose to have something, even if it's small or imperfect, rather than have nothing at all.

What are some alternatives to "prefer something to"?

You can use alternatives like "favor something over", "opt for something instead of", or "choose something over" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "prefer something than"?

No, it is not correct. The correct preposition to use with "prefer" when comparing two things is "to", not "than". The correct phrase is "prefer something to something else".

What's the difference between "prefer something to" and "like something better than"?

While both express preference, "prefer something to" is generally considered more formal than "like something better than". The latter is more commonly used in informal conversation.