Expressing Preferences

Use prefer, like better, would rather.

Examples

• I prefer tea to coffee.
• I'd rather stay home.

Key rules

• Prefer + noun + to + noun (prefer tea to coffee)
• Prefer + -ing or to + verb for activities
• Would rather + base verb (I would rather stay)
• Would rather + than for a choice (rather walk than drive)

Common mistakes

• I prefer tea than coffee → I prefer tea to coffee
• I would rather to stay → I would rather stay