usage of prefer to/ prefer rather than

[manhhiep2509]

I am confused about the usage of "prefer" because sometimes I see people use "prefer X to Y", other time people use "prefer X rather than Y". Which of the usage is correct? Which part speech are X and Y can be? i.e. noun, verb, to verb, verb-ing

Thanks!

[RonPurewal]

I am confused about the usage of "prefer" because sometimes I see people use "prefer X to Y", other time people use "prefer X rather than Y". Which of the usage is correct? Which part speech are X and Y can be? i.e. noun, verb, to verb, verb-ing

Thanks!

"Prefer this to that" is correct. "Prefer this rather than that" is redundant, and therefore incorrect.

The two things should be nouns, and/or things that can act as nouns (e.g., "to + verb" and "verbING").

[conquerer1]

Does the usage change with infinitive clauses?
He prefers to sit to to stand
or
He prefers to sit than to stand.

Please clarify.

Thanks

[RonPurewal]

Does the usage change with infinitive clauses?
He prefers to sit to to stand
or
He prefers to sit than to stand.

Please clarify.

Thanks

You wouldn't use "prefer ... to ..." with those. You'd use __ing forms instead ("He prefers sitting to standing").

[GursimranK432]

@Ron Is there a difference between "prefer X to Y" and "prefer X over Y"?

[Sage Pearce-Higgins]

As far as I'm aware, GMAT uses the idiom 'prefer X to Y' and doesn't use the idiom 'prefer X over Y'. I couldn't find any SC problems in the OG 2018 that use the verb 'prefer' in any idiom. Have you seen an official GMAT problem with the idiom you mention?

[ishanim547]

Advanced OG, 2020 question

Judge Lois Forer’s study asks why do some litigants have a preferred status over others in the use of a public resource, the courts, which in theory are available to all but in fact are unequally distributed among rich and poor.

Correction: Judge Lois Forer’s study asks why do some litigants have a preferred status over others in the use of a public resource, the courts, which in theory are available to all but in fact are unequally distributed among rich and poor.


Hence "prefer over" - is clearly allowed.

[Sage Pearce-Higgins]

Interesting find. However, the idiom here isn't quite the same as 'to prefer X to Y'. Here, 'preferred' is basically an adjective, so that the idiom is 'X has a preferred status over Y'. I would see it as similar in both meaning and usage to 'X has priority over Y'. This example doesn't imply that GMAT will use the idiom 'to prefer X over Y', but, of course, it's possible that it will turn up in the future.