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Prefer vs Prepare - What's the difference?

prefer | prepare |

In transitive terms the difference between prefer and prepare

is that prefer is to present or submit (something) to an authority (now usually in "to prefer charges") while prepare is to produce or make by combining elements; to synthesize, compound.

As verbs the difference between prefer and prepare

is that prefer is to advance, promote (someone) while prepare is to make ready for a specific future purpose; to set up; to assemble.

As a noun prepare is

preparation.

prefer

English

Alternative forms

* * preferre

Verb

(preferr)
  • *, II.3.2:
  • *:Tiberius preferred many to honours in his time, because they were famous whoremasters and sturdy drinkers.
  • (lb) To be in the habit of choosing something rather than something else; to favor; to like better.
  • :
  • *
  • *:"My tastes," he said, still smiling, "incline me to the garishly sunlit side of this planet." And, to tease her and arouse her to combat: "I prefer a farandole to a nocturne; I'd rather have a painting than an etching; Mr. Whistler bores me with his monochromatic mud; I don't like dull colours, dull sounds, dull intellects;."
  • (lb) To present or submit (something) to an authority (now usually in "to prefer charges").
  • *1630 , , True Travels , in Kupperman 1988, p.36:
  • *:one Master David Hume, who making some use of his purse, gave him Letters to his friends in Scotland to preferre him to King James.
  • *1817 , (Walter Scott), , XVII:
  • *:Such were the arguments which my will boldly preferred to my conscience, as coin which ought to be current, and which conscience, like a grumbling shopkeeper, was contented to accept.

    • Usage notes

    * The verb can be used in three different forms: *
  • prefer'' + noun + ''to'' (or ''over'') + noun. Example: ''I prefer coffee to tea .
    • *
  • prefer'' + gerund + ''to'' (or ''over'') + gerund. Example: ''I prefer skiing to swimming .
    • *
  • prefer'' + full infinitive + ''rather than'' + bare infinitive. Example: ''I prefer to eat fish rather than (eat) meat .

    • Derived terms

    * preference * preferential

    prepare

    English

    Verb

    (prepar)
  • To make ready for a specific future purpose; to set up; to assemble.
  • * Bible, Psalms cvii. 36
    • that they may prepare a city for habitation
  • * Dryden
    • our souls, not yet prepared for upper light
  • To make ready for eating or drinking; to cook.
  • To make oneself ready; to get ready, make preparation.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
    • , chapter=19 citation , passage=As soon as Julia returned with a constable, Timothy, who was on the point of exhaustion, prepared to give over to him gratefully. The newcomer turned out to be a powerful youngster, fully trained and eager to help, and he stripped off his tunic at once.}}
  • To produce or make by combining elements; to synthesize, compound.

    • Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that can take a following verb in its to + infinitive form. See

    Synonyms

    * (l), (l), (l), (l), (l)

    Noun

  • (obsolete) preparation
  • * 1595 , , IV. i. 130:
    • Go levy men, and make prepare for war;

    Anagrams

    * * ----