prefer
v.v. to like one thing or person more than another. You use this when you have to choose between two or more options.
v. to like or want someone or something more than another; to give priority to one choice over others.
I prefer tea to coffee.
Most students in the class prefer working in small groups rather than listening to a long lecture.
While some investors seek high-risk opportunities for rapid growth, others prefer the stability of government bonds despite the lower interest rates.
From Middle English preferren, from Anglo-Norman preferer, from Latin praeferō. Displaced native Old English foresettan and foreberan. Doublet of prelate. See also infer, relate and refer, delate and defer, as well as collate and confer among others.
The verb is transitive. When comparing two things, it takes the preposition 'to' (prefer X to Y) rather than 'than'.
I prefer coffee than teaI prefer coffee to teaWhen using 'prefer' to compare two nouns, use the preposition 'to' instead of 'than'.