"I Prefer" vs "I Would Prefer": Whaat's teh Difference?

Learn when to use "I prefer" and "I would prefer" with this helpful video lesson.

When to use "I prefer"?

Use "I prefer" when talking about your general likes or dislikes. This expression indicates a habitual or overall preference.

• Example 1: "I prefer tea to coffee".
• Example 2: "I prefer watching action movies to comedies".

In these examples, "I prefer" shows a general preference for tea over coffee and action movies over comedies.

When to use "I would prefer"?

Use "I would prefer" when referring to a specific instance or situation. This phrase indicates a preference for a particular occasion.

Example: "I would prefer watching an action movie".

In this example, "I would prefer" means that, in this particular instance, the speaker wants to watch an action movie, but not necessarily every time.

Understanding the difference between "I prefer" and "I would prefer" will help you communicate your preferences more precisely in English.