PREFER

Which should you use, prefer, prefer rather than, prefer than, prefer more than, or prefer instead of? The verb prefer means to like or want someone or something more than someone or something else. Prefer generally takes the preposition to. Prefer instead of, prefer more than and prefer than are incorrect. Incorrect: I prefer coffee rather than tea. Correct: Incorrect: Correct: I prefer coffee to tea. eople prefer watching T! instead of reading. eople prefer watching T! to reading.

Incorrect: I prefer "ogging than cycling. Correct: I prefer "ogging to cycling.

Incorrect: I prefer dancing more than singing. Correct: I prefer dancing to singing.

While prefer is followed by to in most cases, there is an e#ception. When prefer is followed by a to$ infinitive, rather than is used. Correct: They prefer to leave rather than pay. Correct: The city prosecutor preferred to step down rather than do his "ob.

It is, however, better to change prefer plus to$infinitive to would rather plus infinitive. Correct: They would rather leave than pay. Correct: The city prosecutor would rather step down than do his "ob.

%lternatively, use a gerund after prefer and to. Correct: They prefer leaving to paying. Correct: The city prosecutor preferred stepping down to doing his "ob.

&o not use prefer instead of, prefer more than or prefer than when a to$infinitive follows prefer. Incorrect: 'e preferred to stay instead of leaving immediately. Correct: Correct: Correct: 'e preferred to stay rather than leave immediately. 'e would rather stay than leave immediately. 'e preferred staying to leaving immediately.

Incorrect: I prefer to read more than to listen. Correct: Correct: Correct: I prefer to read rather than listen. I would rather read than listen. I prefer reading to listening.

Incorrect: I prefer to drink water than to drink soda. Correct: Correct: Correct: I prefer to drink water rather than drink soda. I would rather drink water than soda. I prefer drinking water to drinking soda.