Question from students: The verb PREFER

The verb "prefer" is not easy. It has different patterns that can be easily mixed up. The result will be an incorrect sentence...so read the following and take notes of the examples (personalise them in your notebook)

• You can use prefer + -ing or prefer + to infinitive in examples like the following:I don't like cities. I prefer to live in the country or I don't like cities. I prefer living in the country.

• For other uses of prefer study the following examples VERY CAREFULLY:

I prefer this coat to the coat you were wearing yesterday.

I prefer driving to travelling by train.

I prefer to drive rather than travel by train. - I prefer to live in the country rather than (live) in a city.(Notice the variety of patterns in these examples: prefer + "to" infinitive/rather than + infinitive without "to")

• We use "would prefer" to say WHAT SOMEBODY WANTS IN A PARTICULAR SITUATION (not in general):

Would you prefer tea or coffee?
Coffee, please.

Shall we go by train?
Well, I'd prefer to go by car.

I would prefer to stay at home tonight rather than go to the cinema. (Notice the variety of patterns in this last example: Would prefer + "to" infinitive/rather than + infinitive without "to")


ALL THESE GRAMMAR NOTES ARE FROM THE FOLLOWING (EXTREMELY USEFUL!) INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED BOOK: