How to Master the “Prefer + Object + to + Infinitive” Structure for IELTS Success?

The “Prefer + Object + To + Infinitive” structure is a sophisticated grammatical pattern that frequently appears in IELTS exams. Mastering this structure can significantly enhance your language proficiency and help you achieve a higher band score. Let’s delve into the intricacies of this construction and explore how to use it effectively in your IELTS preparation.

Understanding the “Prefer + Object + to + Infinitive” Structure

The “prefer + object + to + infinitive” structure is used to express a preference for one thing over another. It’s a more formal and nuanced way of communicating preferences compared to simpler structures like “prefer A to B.”

Formula:

Subject + prefer + object + to + infinitive

For example:

• I prefer coffee to tea.
• She prefers studying at night to studying in the morning.

In these examples, the structure allows for a clear comparison between two options, emphasizing the preferred choice.

Prefer object to infinitive structure

Applying the Structure in IELTS Writing

In IELTS Writing, using this structure can demonstrate a high level of grammatical control and vocabulary range. Here are some examples of how you can incorporate it into your essays:

1. Task 2 Essay on Education:
   “Many students prefer practical experience to theoretical knowledge when preparing for their future careers.”

2. Task 2 Essay on Technology:
   “Some people prefer face-to-face communication to online interactions, despite the convenience of digital platforms.”

3. Task 1 Report on Trends:
   “The graph shows that consumers increasingly prefer organic products to conventional ones over the past decade.”

In each of these examples, the structure is used to make a clear comparison, which is often required in IELTS Writing tasks.

Enhancing Your IELTS Speaking Performance

The “prefer + object + to + infinitive” structure can also be a valuable tool in the IELTS Speaking test. It allows you to express complex preferences fluently and accurately. Consider these examples:

1. Part 1 Question about Hobbies:
   “I prefer reading novels to watching movies because it stimulates my imagination more.”

2. Part 2 Task Card about a Place:
   “When it comes to vacations, I prefer visiting historical sites to relaxing on beaches. I find it more intellectually stimulating.”

3. Part 3 Discussion on Work-Life Balance:
   “Many young professionals nowadays prefer flexible working hours to traditional 9-to-5 schedules, as it allows for better work-life integration.”

Using this structure in your speaking responses can help you achieve a higher band score by demonstrating a wide range of grammatical structures and vocabulary.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

While the “prefer + object + to + infinitive” structure can elevate your language, it’s important to use it correctly. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:

1. Incorrect: “I prefer to coffee than tea.”
   Correct: “I prefer coffee to tea.”

2. Incorrect: “She prefers to study at night than in the morning.”
   Correct: “She prefers studying at night to studying in the morning.”

3. Incorrect: “They prefer watch movies than read books.”
   Correct: “They prefer watching movies to reading books.”

Remember, after “prefer,” you need a noun or gerund, not an infinitive. The “to” in this structure is a preposition, not part of an infinitive.

IELTS Speaking preference examples

Variations and Related Structures

To further enhance your IELTS performance, consider these related structures:

1. Would prefer + to-infinitive:
   “I would prefer to live in the countryside rather than in a big city.”

2. Would rather + bare infinitive:
   “I would rather live in the countryside than in a big city.”

3. Prefer + gerund + to + gerund:
   “I prefer living in the countryside to living in a big city.”

Using these variations can help you avoid repetition and demonstrate a broader range of grammatical structures.

Strategies for High Band Scores

To achieve a high band score in IELTS, it’s crucial to use complex structures like “prefer + object + to + infinitive” accurately and appropriately. Here are some strategies:

1. Practice in context: Use the structure in various topics relevant to IELTS, such as education, technology, environment, and culture.

2. Combine with other complex structures: For example, “Despite the convenience of urban life, I prefer residing in rural areas to living in bustling cities, as it allows for a more relaxed lifestyle.”

3. Use in comparison tasks: In Writing Task 1 or Speaking Part 3, use this structure to compare data or discuss advantages and disadvantages.

4. Incorporate idiomatic language: “When it comes to career choices, I prefer following my passion to chasing after money, as I believe job satisfaction is worth its weight in gold.”

By mastering this structure and applying these strategies, you can significantly enhance your IELTS performance across all sections of the test.

Conclusion

The “prefer + object + to + infinitive” structure is a powerful tool for expressing preferences in a sophisticated manner. By incorporating this structure into your IELTS preparation and using it correctly in your responses, you can demonstrate a high level of English proficiency. Remember to practice using this structure in various contexts and combine it with other complex grammatical patterns to achieve the best possible results in your IELTS exam.

For further practice, try using this structure in sample IELTS questions about lifestyle choices, educational preferences, or workplace dynamics. The more you integrate it into your language use, the more natural and fluent your English expression will become, ultimately leading to a higher band score in your IELTS test.