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I preferred to do vs I preferred doing

Both "I preferred to do" and "I preferred doing" are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "I preferred to do" is used when you want to express a preference for a specific action or task, while "I preferred doing" is used when you want to express a preference for a general activity or action. The choice between the two depends on the level of specificity you want to convey.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 7337 views

I preferred to do

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when you want to express a preference for a specific action or task. It indicates that you chose one action over another because you liked it more.

Examples:

  • I preferred to do my homework before going out with my friends.
  • She preferred to cook dinner rather than order takeout.
  • I would have preferred to do it my way.
  • I said I preferred to withdraw her for health reasons.
  • I preferred to be looked after by woman.
  • For these reasons, I preferred to abstain.
  • But I was a coward I preferred to lie to you.
  • I believe not, but I preferred to wait until you came.
  • Therefore, I always stated - Mrs Maij-Weggen will remember - that I preferred to be slow but sure.
  • In these circumstances, since I support the objective of this directive but am partially dissatisfied, I preferred to abstain from the final vote.
  • I preferred to lodge at Northport and get home tomorrow, but your son insisted we get home tonight.
  • After the death of my wife, I preferred to be single.
  • I preferred to be his lover and not his wife.
  • But I preferred to think of him as cowardly rather than accept the other option.
  • Moreover, I preferred to abstain during the vote on this report.
  • But not, I preferred to stay in my house
  • I preferred to dwell on those hundreds of satisfied ladies so as not to have to think of the beautiful Bianca... ...surrounded at the fort by so many eligible cavaliers.
  • We spoke Hungarian, because they generally spoke English in such a way that I preferred to speak Hungarian, so that I could understand them.
  • Even as a little girl, I preferred to call my father "Pascal."
  • I preferred to abstain on this resolution as the deadline specified in Article 2 of the text, which also refers to Romania, may be too restrictive in the context of the negotiations in Geneva on the convention for banning certain types of conventional weapons.
  • So I said I preferred the black and white stripes.
  • I think I preferred the stalker.

Alternatives:

  • I would rather do
  • I chose to do
  • I liked to do
  • I opted to do
  • I decided to do

I preferred doing

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when you want to express a preference for a general activity or action. It indicates that you liked engaging in that activity more than others.

Examples:

  • I preferred doing sports in the morning.
  • He preferred doing his work in a quiet environment.
  • I preferred it when you left these in people.
  • You know I preferred the old Chief of Police.
  • So I said I preferred the black and white stripes.
  • I preferred the Internet when it was just AltaVista and that little Star Wars kid.
  • To be honest, I preferred him before.
  • Nothing against Jack and the Beanstalk, but I preferred the last guy.
  • And I preferred vodka to scotch.
  • I preferred to be looked after by woman.
  • I think I preferred the stalker.
  • I preferred "terminators" but it bumped with Legal.
  • I think I preferred you with low self-esteem.
  • It's not bad. I preferred the original.
  • I preferred burying myself here, pretending I was crazy.
  • I think I preferred it when you cried.
  • I think I preferred the old you anyway.
  • I preferred the one who played Scarlett.
  • I preferred your mother's stuff, Alex.
  • I preferred their earlier material, anyway.
  • I said I preferred to withdraw her for health reasons.
  • - I preferred his face to yours.

Alternatives:

  • I would rather do
  • I liked doing
  • I enjoyed doing
  • I favored doing
  • I opted for doing

Related Comparisons

I appreciate to do vs I appreciate doing assign you to do vs assign you doing I like doing vs I like to do I risk doing vs I risk making I prefered to do vs I prefered doing

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