Introduction: In this post, you will learn the key difference between prefer than, prefer to, and prefer over.
Which one is correct?
- I prefer tea than coffee.
- I prefer tea to coffee.
- I prefer tea over than coffee.
Answer: I prefer tea to coffee.
Trick: Use prefer to when comparing two things, the standard structure will be: prefer A to B.
Prefer To: The Basic Rule
They prefer cricket to football.
Use “Than” After Prefer?
Use than after comparative forms:
This radio is better than that one.
Prefer + -ing Form
When comparing two activities and then structure will be: prefer + verb-ing + to + verb-ing
We prefers studying to playing games.
Prefer to + Verb
We use prefer + to with base verb, so the structure will be prefer to + base verb
They prefers to work at night
Prefer to … Rather Than …
When comparing two actions, the structure will be prefer to + verb + rather than + verb
They prefers to study rather than play games.
What About “Prefer Over”?
This structure is used in modern English, especially in informal usage. For exam prefer A to B is the best structure to remember too
I prefer tea over coffee. ( Is also correct)