Grammar Reference:
Expressing preference:
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:
Examples:
I prefer tea to coffee.
We prefer going by ferry to flying.
We don’t use than after prefer:
She prefers books to magazines.
Not: She prefers books than magazines.
She’s not keen on coffee. She prefers to drink
tea. (or She prefers drinking tea to coffee.)
I. Make guesses to express preferences. Use the words in column one and decide the correct order of preferences:
1. HISTORY - MEN / LEGENDS
Ex: History prefers _______________________ to ______________________.
2. HISTORY - NOBILITY / BRUTALITY
_______________________________________________________________ .
3. HISTORY - QUIET DEEDS / SOARING SPEECHES
_______________________________________________________________ .
II. Discuss with a partner. What you prefer? Follow the examples.
1. Fruit / Meat
Ex: I prefer meat to food.
2. Dancing / Singing
3. Hot / Cold Weather
4. Watching / Playing Sports
5. Hotels / Camping
6. Brazilian / American Music
7. Traveling by car / Plane
8. Comedies / Thrillers
9. Movies / Theater
10. TV / Video Games
Answer key:
Ex: I
History prefers legends to men.
It prefers nobility to brutality.
It prefers soaring speeches to quiet deeds.
Ex: Answers will vary.