prefer to [gerund] → [base form]

Is "prefer to do" the same as "prefer doing"? Native speakers use both, but learners often mix patterns and produce forms like "prefer to doing." Below are clear rules, frequent wrong/right pairs, targeted rewrites for work, school and casual contexts, and quick memory tricks.

Quick answer

All three patterns are grammatical when used correctly: prefer + -ing (general/habit), prefer to + base verb (a specific choice or plan), and prefer X to Y (direct comparison of nouns or gerunds). The usual mistakes come from mixing patterns (e.g., "prefer to doing") or using the wrong form for the intended meaning.

Prefer + -ing = general preference or habit (I prefer cycling).
Prefer to + infinitive = deliberate choice or single action (I prefer to cycle this morning).
Prefer X to Y = compare nouns or gerunds (I prefer cycling to running).
Avoid mixing forms: not "prefer to doing" or "prefer doing rather than to do."

Core grammar: the three correct structures

Pick the form that matches what you mean: habit/taste use -ing, planned or one-off actions use to + verb, direct comparisons use "X to Y" with nouns or gerunds.

Prefer + -ing (habit): I prefer reading in the evening.
Prefer to + verb (choice/plan): I prefer to read the report tonight.
Prefer X to Y (comparison): I prefer reading to watching TV.

Wrong: I prefer to skiing on weekends. →
Right: I prefer skiing on weekends.
Wrong: She prefers eating than drinking coffee. →
Right: She prefers eating to drinking coffee.
Wrong: I prefer tea than coffee. →
Right: I prefer tea to coffee.

Comparison patterns: "prefer X to Y" vs "prefer to ... rather than ..."

When comparing two habitual actions, use gerunds: prefer X-ing to Y-ing. When contrasting two alternative actions as choices, use infinitives: prefer to + verb rather than + verb.

Habit comparison: I prefer swimming to running.
Choice contrast: I prefer to swim rather than run.
Don't mix: not "prefer to swimming" or "prefer swimming rather than to run."

Wrong: I prefer hiking rather than to camp. →
Right: I prefer hiking rather than camping. (habit)
Also right: I prefer to hike rather than camp. (single, deliberate choice)

Real usage & tone: choose by context

Prefer to + infinitive often sounds slightly more formal or deliberate; prefer + -ing sounds neutral and suits general tastes. In speech both are common. In formal requests or plans, the infinitive is usually clearer.

Formal/request: We prefer to receive the report by Friday.
Habit/taste: I prefer receiving short updates every morning.
Spoken/casual: I prefer getting coffee from that place - natural in conversation.

Work examples: email and meeting phrasing

Use infinitives for explicit requests and scheduled choices; use gerunds for recurring preferences or ongoing processes.

Work - Wrong: I'd prefer to working from home on Fridays. → Work -
Right: I'd prefer working from home on Fridays.
Work - Wrong: We prefer to send reports weekly rather than monthly. → Work -
Right: We prefer sending reports weekly rather than monthly.
Work - Wrong: Please, I prefer to meeting at 9. → Work -
Right: I prefer to meet at 9.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence, not just the phrase. Context usually reveals whether you mean a habit, a plan, or a comparison.

School examples: essays, feedback and presentations

In essays, the infinitive clarifies intended actions or plans; gerunds describe study habits or general tendencies.

School - Wrong: Students prefer to studying in groups for the final project. → School -
Right: Students prefer studying in groups for the final project.
School - Wrong: For my thesis, I prefer writing than presenting. → School -
Right: For my thesis, I prefer writing to presenting.
School - Wrong: I prefer to use qualitative methods rather than relying on surveys. → School -
Right: I prefer to use qualitative methods rather than rely on surveys.

Casual examples: texts, chats and everyday speech

Casual speech accepts both forms; still follow the habit vs choice rule and never mix patterns.

Casual - Wrong: I prefer to watching comedies on Friday nights. → Casual -
Right: I prefer watching comedies on Friday nights.
Casual - Wrong: He prefers eating than going out. → Casual -
Right: He prefers eating at home to going out.
Casual - Usage: Choice tonight: I prefer to stay in rather than go out.

Rewrite help: fix any "prefer" sentence in three steps

Follow these quick steps and rebuild the sentence to match meaning.

Step 1: Identify what you compare - two nouns, two activities, or a choice.
Step 2: Habit? Use -ing. Single/planned choice? Use to + verb.
Step 3: Reconstruct: prefer X to Y / prefer + -ing / prefer to + verb rather than + verb.

Rewrite:
Wrong: I'd prefer to eating earlier. →
Rewrite: I'd prefer eating earlier. (habit)
Rewrite:
Wrong: I prefer to meet at 9 rather than going at 10. →
Rewrite: I prefer to meet at 9 rather than go at 10. (one-time choice)
Rewrite:
Wrong: She prefers to coding over testing. →
Rewrite: She prefers coding to testing. (comparison)

Memory tricks, traps, hyphenation and spacing

Two rules stop most errors: "Habit = -ing" and "Choice = to + verb." Watch for transfer from your native language and for verbs with special patterns. There is no hyphen between prefer and the verb; use normal spacing and punctuation.

Memory trick: Habit? Add -ing. Decision? Use "to + verb."
Trap: Never write "prefer to doing" or "prefer doing rather than to do."
Hyphenation/spacing: Don't hyphenate or add extra spaces. Example: correct - I prefer to work from home.
Punctuation: Don't insert a comma between prefer and its verb phrase (wrong: "I prefer, to work from home").

Usage example: Wrong: I prefer to doing the early shift. →
Right: I prefer doing the early shift.

Similar mistakes to watch for

Other verbs behave differently; learn each pattern to avoid swapping forms.

would rather takes the base verb without to: I'd rather go.
like / love / hate can use either form with a subtle difference: I like running (habit) / I like to run on Sundays (choice/plan).
start / begin / continue often accept both -ing and infinitive with little change in meaning, but choose one consistently within a sentence.
stop changes meaning: stop + -ing = quit the action; stop + to + verb = pause one action to do another (She stopped smoking vs She stopped to smoke is odd; use She stopped to have a cigarette).

FAQ

Is "prefer to" followed by -ing ever correct?

No. "Prefer to" should be followed by the base verb: prefer to do. If you want -ing, use prefer + -ing without to.

Can I compare verbs with "prefer X to Y"?

Yes. Compare actions using gerunds: "I prefer running to cycling." To compare infinitives, use "prefer to ... rather than ...": "I prefer to run rather than cycle."

Which form is better in formal writing?

For specific plans or formal requests, "prefer to + infinitive" is usually clearer. For general tendencies or tastes, use "prefer + -ing."

How do "would rather" and "prefer" differ?

"Would rather" uses the base verb without to (I'd rather go). "Prefer" follows the patterns above (prefer to go / prefer going). Keep the patterns separate.

Quick check: how can I test my sentence fast?

Ask: is it a habit or a single decision? Habit → -ing. Single decision → to + verb. If comparing two nouns or activities, use "X to Y." Read the sentence aloud; the natural-sounding option usually fits.

Need one last check?

Run the three-step rewrite on any sentence you doubt. For fast edits, paste the sentence into a grammar tool before sending emails or assignments - it catches the common "prefer" mistakes quickly.