prefer
Definitions
To like one thing or person better than another or others.
更喜欢；偏爱
(Formal) to put forward (a charge or accusation) for consideration.
（正式）提出（指控、申诉）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedpre- (before) + fer (carry) = 'to carry before.' To prefer X over Y is to carry X in front of Y in your ranking — to place X ahead. The legal sense «prefer charges» preserves the original «to put forward» meaning that has otherwise faded from everyday use.
Root fer still carries 93 more wordsWhy It Means This
Prefer is one of the most basic Latin-derived verbs in everyday English. The image is concrete: you carry one thing in front of another. When you prefer coffee to tea, you put coffee ahead in your ranking. The legal idiom «prefer charges» (to formally bring an accusation) preserves the literal «carry forward» sense; it sounds slightly archaic but is still standard in courtroom English. The adjective form «preferential» and the noun «preference» both keep the «putting ahead» image.
Usage Guide
- Everyday: 'I prefer tea to coffee,' 'I'd prefer to wait' — like better
- Patterns: «prefer X to Y» / «prefer X over Y» / «prefer to do» / «prefer doing»
- Polite ordering: 'I'd prefer the salmon, please' — softer than «I want»
- Legal/formal: «prefer charges,» «prefer a complaint» — formally bring forward
- Stress: pre-FER (verb, stress on second syllable)
Example Sentences
- 1.
I prefer reading to watching TV.
- 2.
Would you prefer red wine or white?
- 3.
She preferred to remain anonymous.
- 4.
The prosecutor preferred new charges against the defendant.