verb
1
BAD : I'd prefer to staying at a different hotel this time.
GOOD : I'd prefer to stay at a different hotel this time.
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prefer to do sth (NOT to doing ): 'They'd prefer to wait and see what happens.'
2
BAD : I'd prefer renting a small flat rather than live with a host family.
GOOD : I'd prefer to rent a small flat rather than live with a host family.
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When you are talking about a future or imaginary event, use (would) prefer + to do sth (NOT doing ): 'I think I'd prefer to wait a bit longer, just in case the others show up.'
Compare: 'I've always preferred eating at home to eating in restaurants.'
3
BAD : Why do you prefer the theatre than the cinema?
GOOD : Why do you prefer the theatre to the cinema?
BAD : I prefer drawing than painting.
GOOD : I prefer drawing to painting.
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prefer ( doing ) sth to ( doing ) sth else (NOT than ): 'He normally prefers classical music to rock.' 'Most women prefer breastfeeding to bottle feeding.'
Compare: 'I'd rather live in the North than in the South.' 'Most women would rather go out to work than stay at home all day.'