preferring to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preferring to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a choice or inclination towards one option over another. Example: "She enjoys outdoor activities, preferring to hike rather than stay indoors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But they demurred, preferring to keep their monopolies intact.

The New York Times

Nijinsky declined, preferring to fulfill the customary period of study.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Horace refused, preferring to write poetry rather than imperial letters.

Independent

Mr. Nantz eventually declined, preferring to keep his sports assignments.

The New York Times

He accused the Palestinians of preferring to attack Israeli civilians.

The New York Times

But Vek's music isn't that funky, preferring to impress cerebrally.

The Guardian - Music

Mr. Obama declined, preferring to labor as a community organizer.

The New York Times

He has spurned the front-line, preferring to confine himself in youth and rural politics.

The Economist

Even worse, for Sophia, he came to hate his elevated status, preferring to associate with peasants.

The New York Times - Books

Here, the grouping was performed according students preferring to use their regular devices as well as with the ones preferring to use their mobile devices.

Smart Learning Environments

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Dennis Mintun, 56, is incarcerated at the Idaho State CorrectionaLikestItution in BoisaidIdaho, where he is serving a 45-year sentheye for three counts of sexual abuse of a child under 16.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preferring to" when you want to clearly indicate a choice between two or more options, emphasizing the reason behind the selection. Ensure the context makes the alternatives clear.

Common error

Avoid using "preferring to" when the alternatives are not clearly defined. For example, instead of saying "She enjoys music, preferring to listen", specify what she prefers listening to, such as "She enjoys music, preferring to listen to classical rather than pop."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preferring to" functions as a gerund phrase, typically introducing an action or state that is chosen over another. It modifies a verb or noun, expressing a preference. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

29%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preferring to" is a versatile gerund phrase used to express a choice or inclination. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, followed by scientific publications and wiki entries. When using "preferring to", ensure that the context clearly defines the alternatives being considered. Alternatives such as ""choosing to"" or ""opting to"" can provide similar meaning with slightly different nuances. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "preferring to" in your writing to clearly convey preferences and choices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

choosing to

Indicates a deliberate selection, similar to preferring, but may imply a more conscious decision.

opting to

Suggests selecting one option from several possibilities, close in meaning to preferring.

favoring

Indicates a bias or partiality towards something, similar to preferring but with a stronger connotation of favoritism.

inclined to

Implies a tendency or leaning towards something, rather than a firm preference.

more inclined to

Emphasizes the degree of inclination, suggesting a clear preference.

tending to

Suggests a habitual or frequent choice, implying a pattern of preference.

leaning towards

Indicates a slight preference, without committing to a definite choice.

rather

Shorter and more direct way of indicating preference, often used in comparisons.

deciding to

Focuses on the act of making a choice, rather than the preference itself.

would rather

Expresses a stronger degree of preference, often implying a willingness to endure something to get the preferred option.

FAQs

How to use "preferring to" in a sentence?

"Preferring to" is used to show a choice or inclination. For example: "He declined the offer, "choosing to" remain in his current position," or "They avoided the crowded streets, "opting to" take a longer route".

What can I say instead of "preferring to"?

You can use alternatives such as ""choosing to"", ""opting to"", "inclined to", or "favoring" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify what is being preferred when using "preferring to"?

While not always grammatically required, it's best practice to make the object of preference clear. Omission can lead to ambiguity. For instance, instead of "She enjoys reading, preferring to", state what she prefers to read, such as "She enjoys reading, "preferring to" read novels over short stories".

What's the difference between "preferring to" and "rather than"?

"Preferring to" introduces the preferred action or state, while "rather than" introduces the less desired alternative. For example: "He stayed home, "preferring to" relax rather than go out".