prefers

USAGE SUMMARY

"prefers" is correct and usable in written English.
It is the present simple tense of the verb "prefer," which is used when expressing a preference or inclination for one thing over another. Example sentence: She prefers reading to watching TV.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Explora is one of them, a luxury hotel that prefers to use neither the word luxury nor hotel.

The Guardian - Travel

While we bomb Isis, Assad spares it and prefers to barrel-bomb Syrian civilians in the pockets of territory still controlled by the rebels fighting his rule.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mamonov prefers to talk about electronic dance music, otherwise know as EDM, a catch-all term for the commercial dance scene.

The Guardian

But it's immediately clear he prefers to be out on the shop floor.

The Guardian

And he is not at all self-involved – he prefers to focus outwards.

The Guardian - Film

Gaël Clichy's meek defending when James Perch scored Wigan's second probably illustrates why Pellegrini prefers Aleksander Kolarov, who is not immune to the odd dicey moment, while Joleon Lescott, making a rare appearance, was also shaky.

The Guardian - Sport

Though this would not be a downtown stadium – something MLS prefers – the team have received public support to join MLS, and point to potential rivalries with Dallas and Houston as something that could be attractive to the league.

The Guardian - Sport

In many ways, Picasso prefers the lack of attention.

The Guardian - Arts

My own strong reaction to the novel stemmed from Austen's depiction of society, a world of conspicuous consumption (Sir Walter Elliot cannot stand the idea of retrenching when he mismanages his finances and prefers to leave his house rather than be seen with a footman or a picture less) and his arrogant, good-looking daughter Elizabeth can't be seen without all the props, either.

The Guardian - Books

The case is proving to be an unwelcome spotlight on the workings of a Wall Street bank that prefers to keep a low profile.

The Guardian - Business

He prefers to emphasise the fact that internet bandwidth in Iran has significantly improved after a five-year gap, increasing by about four times.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prefers", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the subject's preference is and why it is preferred. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "prefers" with plural subjects. Remember that "prefers" is the third-person singular form. For plural subjects, use "prefer".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "prefers" is to express a preference or inclination. As Ludwig AI points out, it is the third-person singular present simple tense of the verb "prefer". The example sentences in Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts to show what someone likes more than something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prefers" is a versatile verb used to express a liking for one thing over another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. This verb is most frequently found in news and media sources, but it is also common in formal business and scientific writing. When using "prefers", remember to use it with singular subjects and to ensure that the preference is clearly stated. You can also replace "prefers" with synonyms like "favors" or "chooses" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prefers to

This alternative is focusing on the infinitive form of the verb.

favors

Simple synonym indicating a preference.

opts for

Focuses on the act of choosing a preferred option.

would rather

Expresses choice with the implication of comparing 2 things.

has a preference for

Explicitly states the existence of a preference.

chooses over

Emphasizes selection in comparison to another thing.

is more inclined to

Highlights a tendency towards a specific choice.

leans towards

Similar to 'inclines towards' but slightly less formal.

inclines towards

More formal way of expressing a leaning or preference.

is partial to

Indicates a fondness or liking for something.

FAQs

How to use "prefers" in a sentence?

"Prefers" is used to indicate that someone likes one thing more than another. For example, "She "prefers tea to coffee"".

What can I say instead of "prefers"?

You can use alternatives like "favors", "chooses", or "opts for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "prefers" or "prefer"?

"Prefers" is the third-person singular form of the verb "prefer" and should be used with singular subjects (e.g., he, she, it). "Prefer" is used with plural subjects (e.g., they, we, you) and the pronoun I.

What's the difference between "prefers" and "preferred"?

"Prefers" is the present tense, indicating a current preference. "Preferred" is the past tense, indicating a past preference.