preferirconjugation
to prefer
📚 preferir is a stem-changing verb (e-ie). Learn more in our Stem-Changing Verbs Guide
Non-Conjugated Forms
preferir
to prefer
prefiriendo
Present Participle
preferido
Used in perfect tenses
Indicative Mood
Used for statements of fact, certainty, and objective reality
| Person | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | prefiero | preferí | prefería | preferiré | preferiría |
| tú | prefieres | preferiste | preferías | preferirás | preferirías |
| él/ella/usted | prefiere | prefirió | prefería | preferirá | preferiría |
| nosotros | preferimos | preferimos | preferíamos | preferiremos | preferiríamos |
| vosotros | preferís | preferisteis | preferíais | preferiréis | preferiríais |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | prefieren | prefirieron | preferían | preferirán | preferirían |
| Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test |
Perfect Tenses
Compound tenses using auxiliary verb "haber" + past participle
| Person | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | he preferido | había preferido | habré preferido | habría preferido |
| tú | has preferido | habías preferido | habrás preferido | habrías preferido |
| él/ella/usted | ha preferido | había preferido | habrá preferido | habría preferido |
| nosotros | hemos preferido | habíamos preferido | habremos preferido | habríamos preferido |
| vosotros | habéis preferido | habíais preferido | habréis preferido | habríais preferido |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | han preferido | habían preferido | habrán preferido | habrían preferido |
| Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test |
Subjunctive Mood
Used for doubt, emotion, desire, possibility, and hypothetical situations
The imperfect subjunctive has two forms: -ra (more common in speech) and -se (more literary, common in Spain). Both are equally correct and interchangeable.
| Person | Literary / Spain | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | prefiera | prefiriera | prefiriese |
| tú | prefieras | prefirieras | prefirieses |
| él/ella/usted | prefiera | prefiriera | prefiriese |
| nosotros | prefiramos | prefiriéramos | prefiriésemos |
| vosotros | prefiráis | prefirierais | prefirieseis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | prefieran | prefirieran | prefiriesen |
| Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test |
Literary / Spain
Imperative Mood
Used for commands, requests, and instructions
| Person | |
|---|---|
| yo | - |
| tú | prefiere |
| él/ella/usted | prefiera |
| nosotros | prefiramos |
| vosotros | preferid |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | prefieran |
| Quick Test |
🎯 Practice preferir
Test your knowledge of preferir conjugations across multiple tenses
Stem Change Pattern: e-ie
This verb follows the e-ie pattern. The stem change occurs in present indicative and present subjunctive, affecting the "boot" forms (yo, tú, él/ella/usted, ellos/ellas/ustedes). Some -ir verbs also have stem changes in preterite (él/ella and ellos/ellas forms).
Usage Tips
- Indicative: Use for facts, statements, and objective reality
- Subjunctive: Use after expressions of doubt, emotion, desire, or uncertainty
- Imperative: Use for direct commands and requests
- Perfect Tenses: Use to express actions completed relative to another time
Examples and Common Phrases
Examples
Common Phrases
Verb Information
Category
Communication
Ending Type
-ir verb
Verb Type
Stem-changing verb
Frequency
Less common
Usage Tips
Remember the "Boot"
Stem-changing verbs change in a "boot" shape: yo, tú, él/ella, and ellos/ellas change, but nosotros and vosotros don't. Draw a boot around the changing forms to remember!
Practice Suggestion
Try creating your own sentences with this verb. Start with simple present tense sentences and gradually work up to more complex constructions.