Meaning
"I prefer" means to like, choose, or want one thing rather than another. Also, to like someone or something more than another person or thing. Simply, I prefer A to B.
Today's Sentences
- I prefer coffee to tea.
- I prefer yoga to pilates.
- I prefer small groups to large ones.
- I prefer dark clothing to light clothing.
- I prefer working alone to working with others.
- Writer's Note
01
I prefer coffee to tea.
Situation 1
May I get you something to drink?
Do you have any hot drinks on the menu?
For hot beverages we have coffee and tea.
I prefer coffee to tea.
I’ll have mine black please.
Situation 2
It's getting chilly.
I feel like drinking something warm.
I can brew up some coffee or tea for you?
I prefer coffee to tea, please.
No problem.
I’ll have a hot cup of coffee ready for you in a few minutes.
02
I prefer yoga to pilates.
Situation 1
I love your yoga pants.
Thanks!
Are you taking the yoga or pilates class?
I prefer yoga to pilates.
I’m here for the Ashtanga Morning class.
Situation 2
I’ve tried everything from running to boxing and I still feel stressed out.
Have you tried yoga or pilates?
No, I haven’t.
What would you suggest?
I prefer yoga to pilates.
Yoga incorporates meditation which may reduce stress.
03
I prefer small groups to large ones.
Situation 1
Did you have fun at the party?
Well, I prefer small groups to large ones.
So I had more fun when I found someone to talk to.
I understand.
I’m like that too.
It always feels like it’s an extroverts world.
Situation 2
Is everything ok?
You seem really quiet.
I’m fine.
I just prefer small groups to large ones.
I’m sorry.
I didn’t know.
That’s ok.
You can’t avoid large crowds all the time.
04
I prefer dark clothing to light clothing.
Situation 1
I see you wear a lot of black shirts.
I prefer dark clothing to light clothing.
My boyfriend thinks the same.
He says he doesn’t want to spend energy deciding on what color shirt to wear.
Seems like your boyfriend and I are on the same page.
Situation 2
What are you wearing to the wedding?
I prefer dark clothing to light clothing.
Especially in the winter months.
Ok, I’ll wear a black dress to match then.
I never understand why some people wear white to someone else’s wedding.
05
I prefer working alone to working with others.
Situation 1
Our team lead was impressed with your background.
Thank you.
We’d like to offer you a position where you can choose to work remotely or in an open office setting.
I prefer working alone to working with others.
Situation 2
I see so many of my colleagues working from home nowadays.
The pandemic really changed the rules of going into the office to work.
How about you?
I prefer working alone to working with others as well.
Writer's Note
In the examples above, we learned how to use "I prefer" noun "to" noun. You can also use "'d prefer", followed by a to-infinitive or a noun, to talk about present and future preferences.
- I'd prefer the apple pie.
- We'd prefer to drink non-alcoholic beverages.
- She'd prefer to spend the day outdoors.
- He'd prefer a seat closer to the window, please.
- Would you prefer to drive?
We can introduce the second thing with "rather than", followed by an infinitive without to.
- I'd prefer the apple pie rather than the chocolate lava cake.
- We'd prefer the drink non-alcoholic rather than alcoholic beverages.
- She'd prefer to spend the day outdoors rather than stay indoors.
- He'd prefer a seat closer to the window rather than an aisle seat.
- Would you prefer to drive rather than walk?
I can't believe we've reached Week 16 together! Thanks for following and studying with us on this long journey. Your efforts are worth gold! 😎👌🔥 Keep it up!
