grammar · neutral

prefer + V-ing + to + V-ing

Band 6-7speakingtask2

Used to express liking one activity more than another: preferring doing A to doing B.

Examples

“I prefer studying in the morning to studying at night.”

“She prefers walking to taking the bus for short distances.”

“They prefer staying at small guesthouses to staying in big hotels.”

Band 8 sentence

“Many people prefer commuting by bicycle to using cars because it's healthier and more sustainable.”

Collocations

  • prefer + V-ing + to + V-ing
  • prefer + to + V (to express general preference)

Common mistakes

I prefer to swimming than running.→I prefer swimming to running.

I prefer to swim than run.→I prefer swimming to running.

Say it for a higher band

5I prefer to swim than run.→6I prefer to swim rather than run.→7+I prefer swimming to running.

Synonyms

would rather + V

Easily confused

prefer + to + base verb

“I prefer to read before bed.”

Related words

have / has + past participlesubject + V(s) (simple present)be about to + base verbbe + V-ingso + adjective/adverb + that + clauseIf + present perfect, will + base verbNot only + clause, but also + clausewill have been + V-ing

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In Tenses

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