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# prefer

verb (prefer, prefers, preferred, preferring)

«prefer» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To prefer means to like one thing more than another, or to choose it if you can. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prefer/#m1)
2. «I would prefer…» is a polite way to say what you want. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prefer/#m2)

### In the lessons

In maths and data lessons, surveys ask which option people prefer, and the results are shown in tally charts and bar charts. In manners: «Would you prefer juice or milk?» and «I'd prefer not to» are polite ways to ask and say no. In science, animals prefer certain habitats: woodlice prefer damp, dark places. Phrases: «prefer A to B», «prefer to do», «I'd prefer», «preferred».

### Examples

- I prefer apples to oranges. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prefer/#x1)
- Would you prefer tea or juice? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prefer/#x2)
- My cat prefers sleeping in the sun. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prefer/#x3)
- I'd prefer to stay inside today. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prefer/#x4)
- Woodlice prefer dark, damp places. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prefer/#x5)
- Most of the class preferred the beach to the zoo. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prefer/#x6)
- She prefers reading to watching TV. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prefer/#x7)
- I'd prefer not to talk about it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prefer/#x8)

### Note

Double the r with endings: «preferred, preferring» (stress is on «-FER»). Say «prefer A to B», not «prefer A than B». Noun: «preference»; adjective: «preferable» (stress on PREF). «Prefer» already means «like more», so «more prefer» is wrong.

## In Jewish tradition

In maths and data lessons, surveys ask which option people prefer, and the results are shown in tally charts and bar charts. In manners: «Would you prefer juice or milk?» and «I'd prefer not to» are polite ways to ask and say no. In science, animals prefer certain habitats: woodlice prefer damp, dark places. Phrases: «prefer A to B», «prefer to do», «I'd prefer», «preferred».

### Examples

- Nonetheless, English translators have usually shied away from the this-worldly symbolism of the ‘Holy Wind’, much preferring immaterial ‘Spirit’ either out of theological embarrassment or deference to tradition. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/prefer/#x1)

### Note

Double the r with endings: «preferred, preferring» (stress is on «-FER»). Say «prefer A to B», not «prefer A than B». Noun: «preference»; adjective: «preferable» (stress on PREF). «Prefer» already means «like more», so «more prefer» is wrong.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «prefer» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prefer/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«prefer» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/prefer.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «prefer» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/prefer/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«prefer» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/prefer.html) on Mova free.