I would prefer this vs I would prefer that

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I would prefer this' is used when referring to something that is close or near the speaker, while 'I would prefer that' is used when referring to something that is farther away or not present. The choice between 'this' and 'that' depends on the proximity of the object being referred to.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 864 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to something close or near the speaker.

"I would prefer this "

This phrase is used when expressing a preference for something that is close or near the speaker. It indicates a choice between options that are present or easily accessible.

Examples:

I would prefer this book over that one.
I would prefer this restaurant for dinner tonight.
I would prefer this color for the walls.

Show examples from the web [+]

I think I would prefer this beverage with sugar.
I think I would prefer this beverage with sugar.
I would prefer this not to be minuted.
It may be that Parliament is in favour of increasing competition in long-distance passenger rail transport, but I would prefer this issue to be dealt with under the second package of rail measures.
I would prefer this debate to be relevant to the way the European Parliament exercises its powers of control, and the Commission explains and gives an account of itself, as befits a democratic system such as our own.
I would prefer this Parliament's decision to prevail and I cannot put my name to a regulation that is not legally sound and will not withstand legal scrutiny.
I would therefore prefer this issue to be dealt with through subsidiarity at Member State level.
I would prefer to skip this step with you, Laila.
That is how I would prefer to interpret this.
I would prefer not to make this journey at all.
I would prefer to keep doing this work that I love.
Mr President, I would prefer to speak this evening, or in the continuation, because you cannot hear yourself think here.
I would prefer to see this achieved by 2012.Nor do I believe that we require new studies.
If so, I would prefer to use this capacity differently.
I figured that you would prefer this a lot more.
In case I hadn't made it clear, I would prefer to live through this.
For this reason, I would prefer not to discuss this further today.
So I would prefer when this when this is done, that we lived shall we say as cousins, rather than as man and wife.
However, for the sake of legal clarity, I would prefer that this amendment is not included in the text of the amending regulation, the purpose of which is merely to extend the mandate of the Agency for an additional two years.
I'm glad you came down. I would prefer to say this to you in person.

Alternatives:

I would like this
I would choose this
I would rather have this
I would opt for this
I would select this

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to something farther away or not present.

"I would prefer that"

This phrase is used when expressing a preference for something that is farther away or not present. It indicates a choice between options that are not close or easily accessible.

Examples:

I would prefer that restaurant over this one.
I would prefer that color for the curtains.
I would prefer that model of car.

Show examples from the web [+]

I would prefer that you not touch me.
Then I would prefer that she shows us her weakness.
I would prefer that she ask me for my permission so I can say no.
Mr President, I would prefer that we would have had no directive whatsoever on whole-body vibration, because even the ISO Standard report says there is no quantitative link between whole-body vibration and lower back pain.
I would prefer that you remove yourself from the process altogether.
There is a cup in the holder, which I would prefer that you didn't drink from.
Look, if you intend to unravel strings further on this matter, I would prefer that you leave them unpulled.
Personally, I would prefer that there should be no deadline, but I think that what the Commission proposes is the maximum practicable limit.
I therefore welcome the committee's amendments to that end, although I would prefer that Member States should be permitted but not obliged to offer such religious privileges.
Mr President, with regard to electoral campaigns, in France we have already given an opinion and I would prefer that we keep to the subject in hand.
As a woman I would prefer that equal rights did not result in equality with men in every respect, but rather led to arrangements that protect women and alleviate their burdens.
However, for the sake of legal clarity, I would prefer that this amendment is not included in the text of the amending regulation, the purpose of which is merely to extend the mandate of the Agency for an additional two years.
I would prefer that you not, but I won't go so far as to forbid it.
I would prefer that people fully understood how this place works and therefore could engage with it.
Captain Beck, I would prefer that you stay at my side.
I would prefer that partnership approach to continue on a voluntary basis.
And I would prefer that we didn't work the same shifts.
I would prefer that you think of me as a benevolent Gene Hackman.
But I would prefer that we find evidence that points to something we don't know.
I would prefer that than being called "the famous Pasadena cougar."

Alternatives:

I would like that
I would choose that
I would rather have that
I would opt for that
I would select that

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I would prefer this vs I would prefer that