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 • 1316 views

I prefer tea to coffee when I was young

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

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.

I preferred tea to coffee when I was young

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

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