prefer
verb A2- To be in the habit of choosing something rather than something else; to favor; to like better. · I prefer tea to coffee.· I'd prefer it if you didn't do it.
- To advance, promote (someone or something).
- To present or submit (something) to an authority (now usually in "to prefer charges").
He/she/it prefers · Past preferred · Past participle preferred · -ing form preferring
Verb forms
- Base form
- prefer
- He/she/it
- prefers
- Past
- preferred
- Past participle
- preferred
- -ing form
- preferring
An irregular verb: learn its past and past participle by heart.
From the library
Go, my son—go, my dear Gérard, and by your obedience to my paternal orders, or, if you prefer it, friendly counsels, we will keep you in your place.
You can roast it by the fire, since your tastes are so peculiar that you prefer cooked food, and then you will have a very good breakfast.”
“Indeed, sir,” said he to Albert, “if you are come to quarrel with this gentleman because I have preferred him to you, I shall resign the case to the king’s attorney.”
Miller, I had indeed to go campaigning before, but I was barbed from counter to tail, and a man went along to groom me; and now I cannot understand what ailed me to prefer the mill before the battle.” “Forbear,” said the Miller to him, “harping on what was of yore, for it is the common lot of mortals to sustain the ups and downs of fortune.”
Learn prefer in real texts
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