How to Use "Preferring" in a Sentence (With Examples)

What Does "Preferring" Mean?

"Preferring" is the present participle form of the verb "prefer," meaning to like one thing more than another or to choose one option over alternatives. As a present participle, it can function as part of a continuous verb tense, as a gerund (noun form), or as an adjective modifying a noun.

Notice that "prefer" doubles its final consonant before adding "-ing" because it is a two-syllable word with stress on the second syllable. This follows the same spelling pattern as "occurring" and "referring."

Using "Preferring" in Continuous Tenses

When paired with a helping verb, "preferring" forms progressive tenses that describe ongoing preferences:

She is preferring to work from home more often since the office renovated.
They were preferring the original design before the client requested changes.

That said, "prefer" is a stative verb, so continuous forms are less common in formal writing. Most style guides recommend the simple form ("she prefers") for stating general preferences.

Using "Preferring" as a Gerund

As a gerund, "preferring" acts as a noun and can serve as the subject or object of a sentence:

Preferring tea over coffee is common in many parts of the world.
His preferring silence made group conversations difficult.
There's nothing wrong with preferring one approach over another.

Using "Preferring" in Participial Phrases

One of the most natural ways to use "preferring" is at the start of a participial phrase that modifies the subject:

Preferring to avoid confrontation, Maria agreed to the compromise.
Preferring a hands-on approach, the new manager spent her first week shadowing each team member.
Preferring local ingredients, the chef built seasonal menus that changed every month.

These constructions work well for combining two related ideas into a single, efficient sentence. Place the participial phrase near the noun it modifies to avoid confusion.

Common Sentence Patterns

Here are additional examples showing "preferring" in various contexts:

The survey showed most respondents preferring digital receipts to paper ones.
He spent years preferring isolation before finally joining a community group.
Preferring accuracy over speed, the editor reviewed each article twice.
Many students are now preferring online courses for their scheduling flexibility.
Despite preferring warm weather, she adapted quickly to the northern climate.

Tips for Using "Preferring" Naturally

Keep a few guidelines in mind when using this word:

Use "preferring" in participial phrases to add variety to your sentence structure
Pair it with "to" or "over" to show the comparison ("preferring X to Y" or "preferring X over Y")
Avoid overusing the continuous tense with stative verbs like "prefer" in formal writing
Place participial phrases at the beginning or end of a sentence, not buried in the middle where they can create awkward phrasing

"Preferring" fits most naturally into participial phrases and gerund constructions. It adds a sense of active choice to your writing and works well when you want to explain someone's reasoning or motivation within a single sentence.

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