prefer
- 01 A1 Beginner
to like one thing or person more than another.
to favor one person or thing over another; to hold in higher estimation.
Simple“I usually prefer tea to coffee in the morning because it is lighter.”
In context“Most consumers in the survey indicated that they prefer organic produce to conventional alternatives, despite the significant price difference.”
UsageWhen followed by another verb, use the '-ing' form or a 'to-infinitive'.
PitfallI prefer coffee than tea. I prefer coffee to tea.When comparing two things with 'prefer', use the preposition 'to', not 'than'.
- 02 C1 Advanced
to officially bring a legal charge or complaint against someone.
to present or submit a formal statement or accusation to an authority for consideration.
Simple“The police decided to prefer charges against the driver after the accident.”
In context“The prosecutor must decide whether there is sufficient evidence to prefer formal charges against the suspect before the hearing begins.”
UsageAlmost exclusively used in the collocation 'to prefer charges'.
Teacher's tipThis is a highly specialized legal use; in everyday conversation, people usually say 'press charges'.
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.