Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner1]

Hello,

Example 1
A:Would you like to go out?

B1:No. I would prefer to stay at home.
B2:No. I would prefer staying at home.

Could we use B1 and B2 in this case?

Example 2
2A.I prefer to eat rather than cook.
2B.I prefer eating to cooking.

Could I use both in this case?

Could you please also tell me when to use 'prefer to do something' and when to use 'prefer doing something'?

Thank you very much.

[Mister Micawber]

.
You can use all of those. 'Prefer' happily accepts either the infinitive or the '-ing' form (some verbs do not), and the meanings are essentially the same.

If there is a nuance, it is that the '-ing' form presents a general preference, where the infinitive carries a potentiality which often refers to a more specific (future) occasion.
.
_________________
"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences." � Gertrude Stein
...............
Canadian-American who teaches English for a living at Mr Micawber's

[learner1]

Hello,

Thank you very much for your answer, Mister Micawber.