PREFER (Would Prefer)

We use prefer to say we like one thing or activity more than another. We can use a
prepositional phrase with to when we compare two things or actions.
Prefer is a transitive verb. That means it must be followed by an object. The object of a verb
can be a noun, a Verb+ing form or a to+verb infinitive form.

 I prefer biographies. (The object -biographies- is a noun.)

 I prefer reading. (The object (reading) is a Verb+ing form.)
 I prefer to read. (The object (to read) is a to+verb infinitive (mastar eki) form.)
Examples:

 I prefer bikes to cars.

 I prefer reading to writing.
 I prefer walking instead of driving.

Structures with prefer

Subject + prefer + ing form + to + ing form

 I prefer reading biographies to watching films. ( Biyografi okumayı film izlemeye
tercih ederim)

Subject + prefer + ing form + rather than + ing form.

 I prefer reading biographies rather than watching films.
 I prefer playing with my children rather than partying with my friends.
(Arkadaşlarımla parti yapmaktansa çocuklarımla oynamayı tercih ederim.)

Subject + prefer + ing form + instead of + ing form

 I prefer reading biographies instead of watching films.

 I prefer playing with my kids instead of partying with my friends.

Note that instead of ‘prefer’, you can write ‘would prefer’. The sentence patterns are the
same. ‘Would prefer’ is used to talk about imaginary situations.
Example:

 I would prefer to live in the hills rather than live near the sea. (Tepelik bir alanda
yaşmayı deniz kenarında yaşamaya tercih ederim-dilerim) (Imaginary situation –
maybe a wish)