Grammar
Prefer and would prefer
I prefer tea. I'd prefer tea, please. Both sentences talk about choice, but the second sounds more connected to this moment.
Use prefer for general choices and would prefer for a choice in a particular situation, with the correct noun or verb pattern.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
I'd prefer to take the earlier train. /aɪd prɪˈfɜː tə teɪk ði ˈɜːliə treɪn/
The short answer
Use prefer for a general choice, as in I prefer tea to coffee. Use would prefer for a present or particular choice, as in I'd prefer to sit by the window. Prefer can be followed by a noun or an -ing form. Would prefer can be followed by a noun or to plus a base verb.
I'd prefer to pay by card today.
Why it works: Would prefer describes the speaker's choice for this payment, and to pay introduces the action.
5 more examples
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I prefer tea to coffee at breakfast.
Prefer describes Hana's usual breakfast choice, and to introduces the second item in the comparison.
Not this:
I'd prefer coffeethis morning. What changes: Would prefer shows a choice for this particular morning. -
Noah prefers walking to driving in the city.
After prefer, an -ing form can name an activity. Both activities use the same form in this comparison.
Not this:Noah
would prefer to walkhome tonight. What changes: Would prefer to plus a base verb identifies the plan Noah wants for tonight. -
We prefer a table near the door.
A noun phrase can follow prefer when the preference is general or already known from the situation.
Not this:We'd
prefer to sitnear the window. What changes: The infinitive describes the seating choice for this visit. -
My sister prefers working early in the day.
Working names the activity that suits her usual routine.
Not this:My sister
would prefer to startlater tomorrow. What changes: Tomorrow makes this a choice for one specific day. -
I would prefer not to discuss it now.
Put not before to when the speaker wants to avoid an action in the present situation.
Not this:I
prefer not discussingwork during dinner. What changes: This sentence describes a more general habit about dinner conversations.
Read the full guide
First decide whether you are talking about a usual preference or a choice for one occasion. Then choose the pattern that fits. Prefer often compares two things with to. Would prefer often leads to a noun or to plus a verb. In a request, would prefer can sound polite and clear.
Choose between a general and a particular choice
Use prefer when the choice is a habit, a regular taste, or a general opinion. Use would prefer when the speaker is choosing in the present situation or arranging something specific. The same person can use both forms at different times.
I prefer the bus because I can read on the journey.
This sentence states a general travel preference.
I'd prefer a taxi tonight because it is late.
Tonight makes the choice specific, so would prefer fits.
Which form fits a usual choice: 'I ___ reading paper books'?
Use prefer: I prefer reading paper books. The sentence describes a general preference.
Use prefer with nouns and comparisons
A noun can follow prefer when you name one choice. When you compare two nouns, use to before the second noun. This pattern is common for food, places, methods, and other things.
Luca prefers tea to juice.
Tea is Luca's first choice, and juice is the alternative after to.
They prefer the quieter room.
The noun phrase names the room they usually choose.
Complete the comparison: 'I prefer trains ___ planes.'
Use to: I prefer trains to planes.
Use -ing forms after prefer for activities
When the preference concerns an activity, prefer is often followed by an -ing form. In a comparison, both activities can use an -ing form. The form treats each activity as an idea or choice.
I prefer cooking at home to eating out.
Cooking and eating are both activities, so both words use -ing.
Rina prefers studying in the library.
Studying names the activity Rina usually chooses.
Which sentence is correct: 'I prefer swim' or 'I prefer swimming'?
Use I prefer swimming. The -ing form names the activity.
Use would prefer with a noun or to plus a verb
Would prefer can be followed by a noun when the choice is a thing, or by to plus a base verb when the choice is an action. The contraction I'd is common for I would, and we'd is common for we would.
I'd prefer a seat near the aisle.
A seat is a noun, so it follows would prefer directly.
We'd prefer to leave after the meeting.
To leave introduces the action the speakers want.
Complete the plan: 'She would prefer ___ early.'
Use to arrive: She would prefer to arrive early.
Ask polite questions with would prefer
Would you prefer is useful when you offer a choice politely. Follow it with a noun, an infinitive, or two options. The answer can use would prefer too, or it can give a shorter choice.
Would you prefer tea or coffee?
The speaker offers two nouns and asks for the listener's choice.
Would you prefer to meet on Friday?
To meet introduces the proposed action.
How can you ask politely about a lunch choice?
Say Would you prefer soup or a sandwich? The question gives the listener two clear options.
Make negative choices and avoid common errors
To say that you do not want an action in one situation, use would prefer not to plus a base verb. Do not use would prefers with he, she, or it. Would stays the same with every subject.
She would prefer not to drive in the rain.
Not comes before to because the speaker wants to avoid that action.
He would prefer to wait outside.
Would does not change to would prefers with he.
Which form is correct: 'He would prefer to stay' or 'He would prefers to stay'?
Use He would prefer to stay. Modal would has the same form with every subject.
Before you go
Remember this
Use prefer when you mean a usual choice: I prefer tea to coffee or I prefer walking to driving. Use would prefer when you mean a choice now or for a particular plan: I'd prefer tea or I'd prefer to walk. Keep to in the comparison after prefer and before the base verb after would prefer.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Prefer and would prefer"
What is the difference between prefer and would prefer?
Prefer usually describes a general habit or regular choice, as in I prefer tea to coffee. Would prefer usually describes a choice for now or for one situation, as in I'd prefer tea this morning. The time and context help the listener understand the difference.
I prefer tea to coffee at breakfast.
What comes after prefer?
Prefer can be followed by a noun, as in prefer tea, or an -ing form, as in prefer walking. To compare choices, use prefer A to B: prefer tea to coffee or prefer walking to driving. This pattern makes the two choices easy to identify.
I'd prefer coffee this morning.
What comes after would prefer?
Would prefer can be followed by a noun or by to plus a base verb. Say We'd prefer a quiet table or We'd prefer to eat outside. Use to before the verb in this pattern, and keep would unchanged with every subject.
Noah prefers walking to driving in the city.
How do I make a polite question with would prefer?
Use Would you prefer followed by options or an infinitive. For example, Would you prefer tea or coffee? and Would you prefer to meet on Friday? This form lets another person choose without sounding demanding.
Noah would prefer to walk home tonight.
Can I use would prefer in a negative sentence?
Yes. Use would prefer not to plus a base verb when a person wants to avoid an action in one situation. For a general habit, prefer not plus an -ing form is also possible. The form you choose depends on whether the choice is particular or usual.
We prefer a table near the door.