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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Prefer: Meaning, Usage, and Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：choose over (prefer)

prefer 🔊

/prɪˈfɜːr/

To like one thing more than another thing when you have a choice.

Person choosing tea over coffee at counter

choose over 🔊

➕

/tʃuːz ˈoʊvər/

To like or want one thing more than another, indicating a personal choice when alternatives are available.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'prae' (before) + 'ferre' (to carry), meaning to put forward or choose.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'pre-fore' - you mentally carry one option before others when making a choice.

📖 Example

When I'm tired, I prefer a quiet evening at home over going to a loud party. 🔊 When I'm tired, I like a quiet evening at home more than going to a loud party.

🔗 Collocations

prefer A to B – Like A more than B

prefer doing something – Choose to do a particular activity

prefer that someone do something – Want a particular action from someone

🔄 Synonyms

favor (v.) – To support or choose something over others

opt for (v.) – To decide in favor of one option

like better (v.) – To have a greater preference for something

🚫 Antonyms

dislike (v.) – To not like something

hate (v.) – To strongly dislike something

reject (v.) – To refuse to accept or choose

🌱 Derivatives

preference (n.) – A greater liking for one alternative over another

preferable (adj.) – More desirable or suitable

preferentially (adv.) – In a way that shows preference

📖 Cultural Story

The word entered English via Old French 'preferer' in the 14th century, originally used in legal contexts for presenting a charge. Its broader sense of 'like better' developed later in the 16th century.

Meaning 2：formally propose (prefer)

prefer 🔊

/prɪˈfɜːr/

To formally put forward a suggestion or accusation.

Professional presenting proposal in meeting room

formally propose 🔊

➕

/ˈfɔːrməli prəˈpoʊz/

To present or bring forward a suggestion, accusation, or charge in a formal or official manner.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The committee decided to prefer the new plan for discussion at the next meeting. 🔊 The committee decided to formally put forward the new plan for discussion at the next meeting.

🔗 Collocations

prefer charges – To formally accuse someone of a crime

prefer a complaint – To officially make a complaint

prefer a suggestion – To formally offer an idea for consideration

🔄 Synonyms

lodge (v.) – To formally submit a complaint or charge

file (v.) – To officially record a document or charge

submit (v.) – To present something for consideration or approval

🚫 Antonyms

retract (v.) – To withdraw a statement or charge

withdraw (v.) – To take back a proposal or accusation

cancel (v.) – To stop a formal action from continuing

🌱 Derivatives

preferment (n.) – The act of being promoted or given a higher position