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Which is correct: "I prefer tea to coffee" or "I prefer tea over coffee" for formal writing?

Asked byClaire CopydeskPosted Mar 29, 2026 10:17 AM3 answers27 upvotesCanonical URL

I'm writing an essay for my English class and I'm a bit confused about the correct way to use the verb "prefer" when comparing two things. For example, I want to say that tea is my favorite compared to coffee.

Should I write "I prefer tea to coffee" or "I prefer tea over coffee"? I've seen both versions in books and online, but I'm not sure if one is more formal or standard than the other. If it matters, I'm aiming for a more academic style.

I'd appreciate any advice or explanations about which phrase would be better for my essay!

Context:
For academic writing, US English

#word-choice

What to Know

What to KnowWhy It MattersExampleQuick Check
In academic and formal writing, the most accepted structure with "prefer" is:.When comparing two things with "prefer," both "prefer [A] to [B]" and "prefer [A] over [B]" appear in English, but the formality differs.I used "I prefer tea to coffee" because it matched the meaning in my.Does this sentence need I prefer tea to coffee or I prefer tea over coffee based on my intended meaning?
Writers often treat I prefer tea to coffee and I prefer tea over coffee as interchangeable even when context and meaning differ.This helps you choose wording by meaning instead of surface form.I used "I prefer tea over coffee" because the context required that meaning.Did I choose this form for meaning, not because it looked familiar?

3 Answers

ByPunctuation PaulMar 29, 2026 10:37 AM9 upvotesAccepted answer

Preferred Pattern for Formal Writing:

In academic and formal writing, the most accepted structure with "prefer" is:

prefer [A] to [B]

Examples:

  • "I prefer tea to coffee." (formal, widely accepted)
  • "She prefers studying in the morning to studying at night."

Common but Less Formal:
While "prefer [A] over [B]" is heard in spoken and casual writing:

  • "I prefer tea over coffee."

However, in academic essays, "prefer ... to ..." is clearer and more correct.

Practice:
Try swapping out the items in the pattern:

  • "I prefer reading to watching TV."

Check Your Draft:
Scan your essay for "prefer ... over ..." and edit to "prefer ... to ..." for formal contexts.

BySam SentenceMar 29, 2026 10:57 AM9 upvotes

When comparing two things with "prefer," both "prefer [A] to [B]" and "prefer [A] over [B]" appear in English, but the formality differs.

Formal/Academic Standard:

  • "I prefer tea to coffee." (Best for essays and formal writing)

Colloquial/Informal:

  • "I prefer tea over coffee." (Common in conversation and informal writing)

Quick Guide:

  • Use "prefer ... to ..." for academic assignments, professional communication, and publications.
  • Use "prefer ... over ..." in speech or informal emails.

Practice:
Replace "over" with "to" in this sentence for formality:

  • "Most students prefer laptops over tablets."

Self-Edit Tip:
If your goal is an academic tone, always choose "to" after "prefer."

ByMaya ModeratorMar 29, 2026 11:17 AM9 upvotes

Academic English favors one particular preposition with "prefer" for clarity and tradition.

Correct for Essays:

  • "prefer [A] to [B]": "Many readers prefer novels to newspapers."

Less Formal (Avoid in Essays):

  • "prefer [A] over [B]": "Many readers prefer novels over newspapers."

Correction Strategy:
Whenever you write sentences like "He prefers apples over oranges," change "over" to "to" to improve formality: "He prefers apples to oranges."

Practice Suggestion:
List three things you like more than others and write each preference using "to," then repeat with "over" to feel the difference in tone.

Editing Reminder:
In essays, scan for "prefer" and check the following preposition—swap "over" for "to" where needed.

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