Conjugate preferir in the present tense in Spanish (El Presente)

Written by qualified Spanish expert Ana Matilla MA, BA

Last updated: 2024-09-23

The Spanish verb preferir (to prefer) is semi-regular since the stem changes in some forms of El Presente, but it has regular ‑ir group endings.

Learn how to conjugate "preferir" in El Presente in Spanish

yo	prefiero
tú	prefieres
él / ella / Ud.	prefiere
nosotros / nosotras	preferimos
vosotros / vosotras	preferís
ellos / ellas / Uds.	prefieren

Notice how the second vowel -e- in the stem becomes -ie- except for the nosotros and vosotros forms.

Look at and listen to these examples:

Yo prefiero comer pescado en vez de carne.I prefer to eat fish rather than meat.

¿Tú prefieres ir en tren o en avión?Do you prefer going by train or plane?

Ella prefiere quedarse en casa.She prefers to stay at home.

Nosotros preferimos ir al campo otro día.We prefer going to the countryside another day.

¿Vosotros preferís ir a México o Panamá?Do you prefer going to Mexico or Panama?

Ellos prefieren ir al parque que al centro comercial.They prefer to go to the park than to the mall.

¿Ustedes prefieren café o té?Do you prefer coffee or tea?

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