prefer to

USAGE SUMMARY

'prefer to' is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It is used when expressing a preference for one thing over another. For example: "I prefer to take the bus instead of driving."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We prefer to negotiate.

Independent

I'd prefer to sue".

The New Yorker

I prefer to wait.

Independent

They'd prefer to kill me".

The New Yorker

I prefer to be alone".

The New York Times - Sports

The Tories prefer to wait.

The Economist

Most prefer to plunge in.

The Economist

Others prefer to remain invisible.

Independent

I prefer to work alone.

The New Yorker

"I prefer to be open.

The Economist

I'd prefer to know".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prefer to" to clearly express a choice or inclination. Ensure the context makes it clear what you are choosing over.

Common error

Avoid using "prefer to" without a clear object of comparison. It should be evident what you are choosing over, either explicitly stated or implied by context. For example, instead of "I prefer to exercise", say "I "prefer to exercise in the morning"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prefer to" functions as an infinitive phrase, expressing a preference or choice. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage. It's commonly used to indicate what someone likes or chooses over another option, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prefer to" is a versatile and commonly used phrase for expressing personal preferences. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted across various contexts. Its communicative purpose is straightforward: to indicate a choice or inclination. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, it's important to ensure the context clarifies what is being chosen over something else. Remember that alternative phrases like "would rather" or "favor" can provide stylistic variety, and should be chosen based on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would rather

Expresses a stronger preference, often implying a comparison between two options.

favor

A more concise and direct way to indicate a preference.

lean towards

Suggests a tendency or inclination towards something.

opt to

Emphasizes a deliberate choice or decision.

choose to

Highlights the act of selecting something over other possibilities.

desire

Implies a strong feeling of wanting something.

like better

A simpler and more informal way to express preference.

care for

Indicates a mild preference or liking.

be inclined to

Suggests a predisposition or tendency towards something.

have a preference for

A more formal way to express having a liking for something.

FAQs

How do I use "prefer to" in a sentence?

Use "prefer to" to express a choice between two or more options. For example, "I "prefer to drink tea" rather than coffee" or "They "prefer to travel by train"".

What are some alternatives to "prefer to"?

You can use alternatives like "would rather", "favor", or "lean towards" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "prefer to" or "would rather"?

"Would rather" is generally considered slightly more informal than "prefer to", but both are widely acceptable in most contexts. Choose the one that best suits the overall tone of your writing.

Can "prefer to" be used in negative sentences?

Yes, you can use "prefer to" in negative sentences to express a lack of preference. For example, "I "don't prefer to" drive in the city" or "They "don't prefer to" eat spicy food".