[Grammar] Prefer

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chutanphat

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Nov 17, 2011
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Hi everyone,

Please help me to identify the usage of PREFER + TO INF. and PREFER + V.ING

Thank you.
 

bhaisahab

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Hi everyone,

Please help me to identify the usage of PREFER + TO INF. and PREFER + V.ING

Thank you.

Put them into sentences and we'll help you with them.
 

TheParser

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***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Hello, Chutanphat:


You have asked a great question. You may be interested in what a very strict teacher named Wilson Follett said in his book entitled Modern American Usage.

(1) Mr. Follett said that you always prefer X to Y.

(a) For example, I prefer print newspapers to online newspapers. (No problem, for "newspaper" is a noun.)

(2) But if there are two infinitives, then there is a BIG problem:

I prefer to read print newspapers to to read online newspapers.

(a) As you can imagine, native speakers refuse to accept this sentence.

(3) So Mr. Follett says that I have a choice:

(a) I prefer to read print newspapers instead of reading [gerund] online newspapers.

(b) I prefer to read print newspapers rather than read [infinitive without "to"] online newspapers.


HAVE A NICE DAY!
 
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