/pɾefeˈɾiɾ/

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Translation

to prefer

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Word origin

From Latin praeferre ('to carry in front, to set before'), from prae- ('before') and ferre ('to carry'). The same root gives English prefer and refer.

Origin
Latin
Root
praeferre
English cognates
prefer, refer

Grammar

Verb type-ir irregular (e-ie stem-changing)

Conjugation

Regular spanish-irregular conjugation. Pronouns: yo, tú, él/ella/ud., nos., vos., ellos/uds..

Indicative

Person PresentPreteriteImperfectFutureConditional
yoprefieropreferípreferíapreferirépreferiría
túprefierespreferistepreferíaspreferiráspreferirías
él/ella/ud.prefiereprefiriópreferíapreferirápreferiría
nos.preferimospreferimospreferíamospreferiremospreferiríamos
vos.preferíspreferisteispreferíaispreferiréispreferiríais
ellos/uds.prefierenprefirieronpreferíanpreferiránpreferirían

Subjunctive

Person PresentImperfect (-ra)Imperfect (-se)
yoprefieraprefirieraprefiriese
túprefierasprefirierasprefirieses
él/ella/ud.prefieraprefirieraprefiriese
nos.prefiramosprefiriéramosprefiriésemos
vos.prefiráisprefirieraisprefirieseis
ellos/uds.prefieranprefirieranprefiriesen

Imperative

Person Affirmative
túprefiere
ud.prefiera
nosotrosprefiramos
vosotrospreferid
uds.prefieran

Non-finite

Gerund / present participle
prefiriendo
Past participle
preferido

Examples

.

I prefer tea to coffee.

.

I would prefer to stay at home tonight.

¿ , ?

What do you prefer, mountain or beach?

.

My children prefer to play outside rather than watch television.

.

I would have preferred you to tell me sooner.

Where this fits

Used in

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Spanish · Free printables

preferir: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the Spanish word "preferir" (to prefer): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

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This word is taught in chapter 8, lesson 9: preferir, novia, canción and 7 more words.