In everyday English, the verb ‘prefer’ is commonly used to express likes or choices. However, many English learners get confused when deciding whether to use ‘prefer to do’ or ‘prefer doing.’ While both structures are grammatically correct, they are not always used in the same contexts. Understanding the subtle differences between ‘prefer to do’ and ‘prefer doing’ is essential for speaking and writing English accurately and naturally. This topic will explore the meaning, usage, and examples of both forms to help you decide which is better in different situations.
Understanding the Verb ‘Prefer’
The word ‘prefer’ is a verb that indicates a greater liking for one thing over another. It often compares two actions or choices and expresses a personal inclination or priority. The verb ‘prefer’ can be followed by different structures, such as:
- Prefer + noun
- Prefer + gerund (doing)
- Prefer + infinitive (to do)
- Prefer + noun + to + noun
- Prefer + gerund + to + gerund
In this topic, we will focus specifically on the use of ‘prefer to do’ and ‘prefer doing’ to understand their grammatical forms and subtle differences in meaning and usage.
Prefer Doing The Gerund Form
Structure and Example
When ‘prefer’ is followed by a gerund (-ing form), it often refers to general preferences or habitual actions. This usage is common in spoken and informal English. It conveys what someone enjoys doing in general, without referring to a specific occasion.
Example:
- I prefer walking to work.
- She prefers reading novels in her free time.
- They prefer eating at home rather than going out.
When to Use It
You use ‘prefer doing’ when you are talking about a general preference or lifestyle choice. It expresses something that a person generally enjoys more than something else.
Here are more examples:
- He prefers swimming to running.
- We prefer staying in on weekends.
Prefer To Do The Infinitive Form
Structure and Example
‘Prefer to do’ is also a correct and natural construction. It is often used when referring to a specific situation or decision. It can sometimes sound a bit more formal than using the gerund.
Example:
- I prefer to walk today because the weather is nice.
- She prefers to stay home when it rains.
- We prefer to drive instead of taking the train this time.
When to Use It
‘Prefer to do’ is used when you are making a decision or expressing a preference in a particular context. It may be used to contrast a present action with another possibility.
More examples include:
- They prefer to arrive early for meetings.
- I prefer to work alone on this project.
Key Differences Between Prefer Doing and Prefer To Do
While both forms are grammatically acceptable, they serve slightly different purposes in communication. Here is a breakdown of the main differences:
- General vs Specific: ‘Prefer doing’ is more commonly used for general habits or activities, while ‘prefer to do’ is used for specific situations or decisions.
- Formality: ‘Prefer to do’ often sounds slightly more formal or deliberate than ‘prefer doing.’
- Style and Tone: In spoken English, especially informal contexts, people tend to say ‘prefer doing.’ In written or formal English, ‘prefer to do’ might be favored.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Let’s look at the same idea expressed in both forms to see the nuance:
- General: I prefer drinking tea in the morning. (a general habit)
- Specific: I prefer to drink tea now instead of coffee. (a current choice)
Using Prefer with Comparisons
Whether you use ‘prefer doing’ or ‘prefer to do,’ you can make comparisons between two actions using ‘to.’
Examples:
- I prefer walking to driving. (general preference)
- I prefer to walk rather than drive. (specific preference)
Note that when using the gerund form, you usually compare with another gerund: ‘walking to driving.’ With the infinitive form, you can use rather than with the base verb: ‘to walk rather than drive.’
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some typical errors learners make and how to fix them:
- Incorrect: I prefer walk than drive.
Correct: I prefer walking to driving. - Incorrect: She prefers read books.
Correct: She prefers to read books. / She prefers reading books. - Incorrect: We prefer to eating out.
Correct: We prefer eating out. / We prefer to eat out.
Tips for Choosing Between the Two Forms
If you’re not sure which form to use, consider the following tips:
- Use ‘prefer doing’ for habits and routines.
- Use ‘prefer to do’ for decisions in a particular moment.
- If you’re comparing two actions, match the structure: gerund with gerund, or infinitive with infinitive.
- Try reading sentences aloud. Sometimes, the one that sounds more natural is the correct choice for your context.
Understanding when to use ‘prefer to do’ and when to use ‘prefer doing’ is an important part of mastering English grammar. Although both are correct, their usage depends on whether you’re talking about a general preference or a specific situation. With enough practice and exposure to native English, you will naturally begin to feel which form fits best. Whether you say, I prefer watching movies or I prefer to watch movies, you are still expressing a choice but the subtle differences matter, especially in more formal writing or speech. The key is consistency, awareness, and practice in real-life communication.