Prefers

Prefers is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb prefer. It denotes choosing one option over another or holding a stronger liking for one thing. In sentences, it agrees with he, she, or any singular subject: She prefers tea to coffee.

Usage and constructions

Prefers can take different grammatical constructions. With a to-infinitive or with a gerund, as in She prefers to stay home or She prefers staying home. It is also common to express a comparison using to or over: He prefers coffee to tea or He prefers coffee over tea. The negative form is does not prefer (She does not prefer rainy days), and contractions are common: She doesn’t prefer.

Relation to related forms

The noun form is preference, referring to an overall liking or choice. The related verb forms include preferred (past tense and past participle) and preferring (present participle). In informal speech, would rather is often used to convey a similar meaning: He would rather stay in than go out.

Etymology and usage notes

Prefers comes from the verb prefer, which derives from Latin praeferre, meaning to carry in front or to prefer. In usage, prefer is a neutral verb suitable for ordinary statements of taste, choice, or inclination, and it typically appears in contexts involving comparisons between options or options and outcomes.

Examples illustrate its function: She prefers vanilla to chocolate, They prefer walking to driving, and He prefers not to answer right away.