to prefer something to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to 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 when I need a warm drink."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's human to prefer something to nothing at all.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Tech

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

Independent

It seems people prefer something free to something cheaper.

TechCrunch

I (and many other western reviewers) just prefer something closer to stock Android.

Forbes

You prefer something physical to help you sleep?

HuffPost

Many people would much prefer something that knows how to flatter the panna cotta.

The New York Times

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

Huffington Post

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

Los Angeles Times

Although sleeping on a glacier sounded like great fun to me, I knew Nita would prefer something a bit cozier.

The New York Times - Travel

You put it so close to your lymph nodes that you should prefer something very clean there.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to prefer something to", ensure that the objects being compared are parallel in structure (e.g., "I prefer reading books to watching movies").

Common error

Avoid using "than" instead of "to" after "prefer". The correct construction is "prefer A to B", not "prefer A than B".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to prefer something to" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a comparison and expressing a preference for one option over another. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used to express a feeling of choosing one thing over another.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to prefer something to" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase to express a preference. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and it appears across diverse contexts, from news and media to academic writing. Common errors include using "than" instead of "to", so ensuring the correct preposition is crucial. Alternative phrases include "favor something over" or "choose something instead of". Therefore, using "to prefer something to" is effective for clearly indicating choices and inclinations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

favor something over

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

choose something instead of

Focuses on the act of choosing, rather than the feeling of preference.

opt for something rather than

Similar to "choose", but often used in more formal contexts.

would rather have something than

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

have a preference for something over

More verbose, emphasizing the existence of a preference.

lean towards something more than

Indicates a tendency or inclination, rather than a firm preference.

like something better than

A simpler, more direct way of expressing preference.

find something more appealing than

Focuses on the appeal of one option compared to another.

gravitate towards something instead of

Implies a natural tendency or attraction.

take to something over

Describes the act of starting to like or favor something.

FAQs

What does "to prefer something to" mean?

The phrase "to prefer something to" indicates that you like or favor one thing more than another. It expresses a choice or inclination towards the first option.

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

You can use "to prefer something to" by placing it between the two things you are comparing. For example, "I "prefer tea to coffee" in the morning".

What are some alternatives to "to prefer something to"?

Alternatives include "favor something over", "choose something instead of", or "opt for something rather than", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "prefer something than"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "prefer something to". Using "than" in this context is a common error.