Prefer Doing vs. Prefer To Do
“Prefer” can take either an -ing form or a to-infinitive, and the difference is often small. Cambridge notes an emphasis tendency rather than an absolute rule, with the to-infinitive more common overall.
Both are standard. “Prefer doing” can put more focus on the activity or experience; “prefer to do” is very common for a preference or habitual choice.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| general preference where the activity/experience is foregrounded | prefer + -ing | Standard. |
| preference or habitual choice | prefer + to-infinitive | Also standard and very common. |
| would prefer for a present/future choice | would prefer + to-infinitive | Use the to-infinitive in this pattern. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Are you using “would prefer” for a present or future choice?
If yes: Use “would prefer to do.”
If no: With plain “prefer,” both “prefer doing” and “prefer to do” can be standard when the meaning fits.
Caveat: With plain “prefer,” the difference between -ing and to-infinitive is often small; the evidence describes emphasis tendencies rather than an absolute right-versus-wrong split.
Examples
I prefer walking to work when the weather is mild.
Plain “prefer” can take an -ing form.
I prefer to walk to work when the weather is mild.
Plain “prefer” can also take a to-infinitive.
I would prefer to leave earlier tomorrow.
With “would prefer,” the to-infinitive is the documented choice.
Further guidance
Emphasis
The -ing form can emphasize the activity or experience, while the to-infinitive can emphasize the preference, result or habitual choice.
Shared Pattern
Use either prefer + -ing or prefer + to-infinitive when the intended meaning fits; neither form is categorically wrong.
Would Boundary
With would prefer for a present or future choice, use a to-infinitive rather than an -ing form.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Hate, like, love and prefer — Cambridge Grammar (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary / English Grammar Today · Hate, like, love and prefer with -ing or to-infinitive, including emphasis, habit and regional notes