I prefer tea to coffee when I was young vs I preferred tea to coffee when I was young

The correct phrase is "I preferred tea to coffee when I was young." The use of "preferred" in the past tense is appropriate when talking about a past preference. The phrase "I prefer tea to coffee when I was young" is incorrect because it combines present tense (prefer) with past tense (was).

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 1406 views

This phrase is incorrect. It combines present tense (prefer) with past tense (was), which is grammatically incorrect.

"I prefer tea to coffee when I was young"

The correct form should be in the past tense to match the time frame being referred to.

Show examples from the web [+]

Dad died when I was young...
He died when I was young.
I prefer tea leaves, steeped in boiling water in a proper pot.
When I was young I was obsessed with Gary Cassitore.
When I was young, I was in a beauty pageant.
I was in the forces for a couple years when I was young.
I was shielded from it when I was young.
But I did drink tons of coffee when I was pregnant with both of you.
I swore to killing Hatfields when I was young.
I even played an organ when I was young.
When I was young, it used to be a workhouse.
Donna, bring me pictures of when I was young and beautiful.
It certainly is a different world than when I was young.
Because when I was young, I had an unfortunate accident.
When I was young I considered myself reasonably attractive.
No one taught me that when I was young.
When I was young I had an odd disease.
I lost my parents when I was young.
Yes, my lady, when I was young.
I lost my dad when I was young.

This phrase is correct. It uses the past tense of "preferred" to indicate a past preference.

"I preferred tea to coffee when I was young"

Use this phrase when talking about a preference that existed in the past.

Show examples from the web [+]

Dad died when I was young...
He died when I was young.
When I was young I was obsessed with Gary Cassitore.
When I was young, I was in a beauty pageant.
I was in the forces for a couple years when I was young.
I was shielded from it when I was young.
But I did drink tons of coffee when I was pregnant with both of you.
When I was eight, I told them I preferred classical over jazz.
I swore to killing Hatfields when I was young.
I even played an organ when I was young.
When I was young, it used to be a workhouse.
Donna, bring me pictures of when I was young and beautiful.
It certainly is a different world than when I was young.
Because when I was young, I had an unfortunate accident.
When I was young I considered myself reasonably attractive.
No one taught me that when I was young.
When I was young I had an odd disease.
I lost my parents when I was young.
Yes, my lady, when I was young.
I lost my dad when I was young.

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I prefer tea to coffee when I was young vs I preferred tea to coffee when I was young