Verb "Prefer" Patterns

May 26 / Theia Learn



In this blog post, you will learn all about the verb "prefer" and its usage in English grammar. You'll discover the nuances of expressing preferences and delve into why understanding preferences is essential in communication. Through engaging examples and insights, you'll explore how preferences can vary among individuals and how they shape decision-making processes. Additionally, you'll uncover the fascinating origin of the word "prefer," tracing it back to its Latin roots.
Are you familiar with the verb "prefer"? It's quite an interesting word with nuances worth exploring. When we say we prefer something, we're expressing a choice in favor of one thing over another. However, it's not just about liking one thing more than another; it often implies a deliberate decision based on personal taste, convenience, or some other factor. For instance, someone might prefer tea over coffee because they find it more soothing or because they dislike the bitterness of coffee. Preferences can vary greatly among individuals and can be influenced by cultural, social, and individual factors. Additionally, preferences are not necessarily fixed; they can change over time based on experiences, exposure to new things, or shifts in priorities.  Understanding preferences can offer insights into human behavior and decision-making processes. It's fascinating to explore how and why people prefer certain things and how those preferences shape their actions and choices. Today we are considering verb patterns with only the verb PREFER.  
Lesson series

Verb "Prefer" Patterns

Watch the excerpt from a video lesson from Introductory Grammar Course. Follow along the video with a downloadable transcription.
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Let's take a look at two brief conversations:

Conversation 1

Sammy: Do you prefer horror movies or kung-fu movies?
David: I definitely prefer kung-fu movies.

Conversation 2

Ruby: Do you prefer listening to rock or jazz?
Eddie: In general, I prefer listening to jazz.

As you can see we can use nouns and gerund form of the verb after PREFER.

Etymology of Prefer

Have you ever wondered where the word 'prefer' comes from? Well, let's take a little journey back in time to ancient Rome. The word 'prefer' actually has its roots in Latin, an ancient language spoken by the Romans. In Latin, there's a word 'praeferre,' which means 'to bear before' or 'to carry in front.'

Now, imagine you have a basket full of fruits, and you're carrying it in front of you. You're deciding which fruit you like the most, right? You're 'bearing' or 'carrying' that fruit in front of all the others because you like it better. That's where 'prefer' comes from – it's all about choosing one thing over another because you like it more.

So, when you say, 'I prefer chocolate ice cream,' you're saying you like chocolate ice cream more than any other flavor. Pretty cool, huh? Our language is like a treasure chest full of stories from the past!

Let's explore synonyms and opposites of the verb prefer. Understanding these synonyms and opposites helps us express our likes, dislikes, and choices more precisely in conversations and writing.  

Four Synonyms:
 
Favor: Just like when you have a favorite color or a favorite toy, to favor something means you like it more than other options.
For example, I favor pizza over burgers.   

Choose: When you make a decision to pick one thing over another, you're choosing. It's like when you choose which game to play or which movie to watch.
For instance, I choose to go to the beach rather than the park.  

Opt for: This phrase is like saying you're going for the best option available to you. It's like choosing the most delicious treat from a buffet.
For instance, I opt for the strawberry cake instead of the chocolate one.  

Select: Think of selecting like picking out the perfect outfit from your wardrobe. You're carefully choosing one option from several.
For example, I select the blue pen for writing.  

Four Opposites:  

Dislike: When you don't enjoy something or find it unpleasant, you dislike it. It's like when you don't like a certain vegetable or a particular game.
For instance, I dislike broccoli.   

Reject: To reject something is to refuse it or say no to it. It's like when you're offered a food you don't like and politely decline.
For example, I reject the idea of going to a haunted house.   

Abhor: This word means to hate something very much. It's like when you absolutely can't stand a certain noise or a particular smell.
For instance, I abhor the sound of fingernails scratching on a chalkboard.  

Avoid: When you actively try to stay away from something or prevent it from happening, you avoid it. It's like when you dodge a puddle, so you don't get your shoes wet.
For example, I avoid spicy food because it upsets my stomach.

Let us practice a bit

Here are 5 silly sentences, really weird plus grammatically incorrect. Would you like to improve  them and give smarter ideas?

  • The talking frog prefers a royal lily pad but would rather have a pizza-flavored fly.
  • Sally would prefer dancing with a penguin over a professional salsa dancer.
  • If the spaceship could talk, it would rather visit the chocolate galaxy than the broccoli nebula.
  • Gerald would prefer someone who can juggle flaming marshmallows as a babysitter.
  • The superhero cat would prefer someone to rescue it from trees, but it would rather climb them and pretend to be stuck.

Are you ready to put your grammar skills to the test? 📝✨ This fun and interactive multiple-choice test has been designed to help you check your grammar.

1. Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of "prefer"?

a) John prefer soccer to basketball.
b) John prefers soccer to basketball.
c) John preferring soccer to basketball.
d) John preferred soccer to basketball.


2. Which of the following is an antonym of "prefer"?

a) Favor

b) Dislike

c) Choose

d) Select

3.  Which sentence correctly uses the pattern "prefer gerund to gerund"?

a) I prefer to swim than running.
b) I prefer swimming to run.
c) I prefer swimming to running.
d) I prefer to swim than to run

4. What's another way to express preference using the verb "prefer"?

a) I would choose

b) I would rather

c) I would select

d) I would favour

5. If you ____________ spicy food, you might enjoy Mexican cuisine.

a) prefer

b) prefers

c) preferring

d) preferred



Review your answers at the bottom of the blog post.
Did you know that would you prefer to do something and would rather do something are equal expressions?

And now it is high time to sing and relax a bit.
This amazing song will help you remember the verb patterns with the verb PREFER. Listen and sing with pleasure.

Wrap up

Is it surprising for you that we say would rather someone did something?  If you hear it for the first time, you are welcome to get to reveal more secrets of the verb Prefer with us.  

In this blog post, you have explored the intricacies of the verb "prefer" and its usage in English grammar.

Here's a summary of what you learned:   

  • Understanding Preferences: You discovered that expressing a preference involves making a deliberate choice based on personal taste, convenience, or other factors. Preferences can vary among individuals and change over time due to experiences and shifts in priorities.   

  • Verb Patterns with "Prefer": Through engaging examples and insights, you explored how to use nouns and gerunds after the verb "prefer." This understanding enhances your ability to express preferences accurately in conversations and writing.   

  • Origin of "Prefer": You uncovered the fascinating origin of the word "prefer," tracing it back to its Latin roots. Understanding its etymology adds depth to your knowledge of the language.   

  • Synonyms and Opposites: You explored synonyms and opposites of "prefer," such as favor, choose, dislike, and avoid. This knowledge allows you to express likes, dislikes, and choices more precisely in various contexts.   

  • Interactive Learning: Engaging quizzes and tests provided an opportunity to apply your grammar skills and evaluate your understanding of verb patterns with "prefer." These interactive exercises enhance your learning experience and reinforce key concepts.   
 

By mastering the verb "prefer" and its associated grammar patterns, you're better equipped to navigate English communication effectively and express your preferences with confidence.  

Keep exploring the world of English grammar and language learning with Theia Learn. 

See you soon!  

Check yourself (answers to the test)

1. b
2. b
3. c
4. b
5. a
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