Have you ever paused while writing and wondered, “Is it prefer or perfer?” You’re not alone.
Thousands of people search this exact question every month because both spellings look and sound similar, but only one is correct in standard English.
Whether you’re writing an email, an assignment, web content, or a professional document, spelling mistakes can hurt your credibility.
That’s why it’s important to understand the correct spelling, why people make this mistake, and how to use the word correctly in sentences.
In this article, we will clearly explain the difference between prefer and perfer, explore their origins, compare British and American spelling, and show real-world usage examples.
You’ll also see Google Trends data, common mistakes, and a helpful comparison table.
By the end, you’ll feel confident using the correct word every time.
Prefer or Perfer – Quick Answer
The correct spelling is prefer.
The spelling perfer is incorrect and is considered a common typing or pronunciation error.
✅ Correct: I prefer coffee over tea.
❌ Incorrect: I perfer coffee over tea.
The Origin of “Prefer or Perfer”
The word prefer comes from the Latin word “praeferre”, which means “to choose before”. It entered English in the 14th century through Old French (préférer).
The mistake “perfer” happens because many people pronounce the word softly, making the “pre” sound like “per” in fast speech. However, in writing, “perfer” is never used in standard English.
Perfer or Prefer
The correct spelling is prefer.
- Prefer → verb, meaning “to like one thing more than another.”
- Example: I prefer tea over coffee.
- Perfer → ❌ incorrect spelling, often a typo or misspelling of prefer.
Quick Tip:
Remember, prefer has the “e” before “r” at the end, not “er.”
Examples:
- ✅ I prefer reading books to watching TV.
- ❌ I perfer reading books to watching TV.
British English vs American English Spelling
Unlike many English words, “prefer” is spelled the same in British English and American English. The word does not change spelling across regions.
| Variant | Correct Spelling | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| American English | prefer | I prefer summer weather. |
| British English | prefer | I prefer walking to work. |
| Australian English | prefer | I prefer fresh food. |
| Canadian English | prefer | I prefer online shopping. |
🚫 There is no version of English that uses perfer.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Use prefer in all forms of writing, no matter where you are from. It is the only standard form accepted in:
- Academic writing
- Business communication
- Official exams (IELTS, TOEFL, SAT)
- Professional emails
- Web content writing
If you want your writing to look professional and correct, always use prefer.
Perfer vs Prefer: Which Is Correct?
The correct spelling is prefer. ✅
Prefer ✅
- Verb → to like one thing more than another.
- Standard and correct in English.
Examples:
- I prefer tea over coffee.
- She prefers reading to watching TV.
Perfer ❌
- Incorrect spelling.
- Common typo or misspelling of prefer.
Example:
- I perfer tea over coffee. ❌
Quick Tip
Perfer is never correct in standard English.
Always use prefer with an “e” after the “r.”
Common Mistakes with “Prefer or Perfer”
| Mistake | Correction |
|---|---|
| I perfer this option. | I prefer this option. |
| She perfer to stay home. | She prefers to stay home. |
| They perfered to wait. | They preferred to wait. |
| I perfering ice cream. | I am preferring ice cream (rare – prefer is usually simple tense). |
Pro Tip: For past tense, double the final “r” → preferred.
“Prefer” in Everyday Examples
Here are examples you can use in real life:
✅ Formal Writing
- I prefer to submit the report by email.
- We prefer quality over quantity.
I would prefer another meeting time.
- Do you prefer WhatsApp or email for updates?
✅ Social Media
- I prefer traveling light ✈️
- Tea or coffee—what do you prefer?
✅ Conversation
- I prefer staying at home tonight.
- Which one do you prefer?
Prefer vs Perfer: Which Is Correct?
The correct spelling is prefer. ✅
Prefer ✅
- Verb → to like one thing more than another.
Examples:
- I prefer coffee over tea.
- She prefers walking to driving.
Perfer ❌
- Incorrect spelling.
- Common typo or misspelling of prefer.
Example:
- I perfer coffee over tea. ❌
Quick Tip
Perfer is not standard English.
Always use prefer in writing.
“Prefer or Perfer” – Google Trends & Usage Data
According to Google Trends data, “prefer” is searched and used worldwide, while “perfer” appears mostly as a spelling error.
| Keyword | Global Popularity | Correct/Incorrect |
|---|---|---|
| prefer | Very High ✅ | Correct |
| perfer | Medium ❌ | Incorrect |
| prefere | Low ❌ | Incorrect |
| preffer | Low ❌ | Incorrect |
People search “perfer” most in countries where English is a second language (India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia), mostly due to pronunciation-based spelling mistakes.
Keyword Comparison Table
| Word Form | Correct | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| prefer | ✅ | To like something more |
| preferred | ✅ | Past tense |
| preferring | ✅ | Present participle |
| preference | ✅ | Noun form |
| perfer | ❌ | Incorrect spelling |
Is It Perfer or Prefer?
The correct spelling is prefer. ✅
Prefer ✅
- Verb → to like one thing more than another.
Examples:
- I prefer coffee over tea.
- She prefers walking to driving.
Perfer ❌
- Incorrect spelling.
- Common typo or misspelling of prefer.
Example:
- I perfer coffee over tea. ❌
Quick Tip
Perfer is never correct in standard English.
Always use prefer with an “e” after the “r.”
Preffer or Prefer: Which Is Correct?
The correct spelling is prefer. ✅
Prefer ✅
- Verb → to like one thing more than another.
Examples:
- I prefer tea over coffee.
- She prefers reading to watching TV.
Preffer ❌
- Incorrect spelling.
- Often a typo or misspelling of prefer.
Example:
- I preffer tea over coffee. ❌
Quick Tip
Preffer is never correct in standard English.
Always use prefer with a single “f.”
Perfer vs. Prefer
The correct word is prefer. The other form, perfer, is always incorrect in English.
- Prefer → verb, meaning to like or choose one thing over another.
- Example: I prefer coffee to tea.
- Perfer → ❌ incorrect spelling, often a typo for prefer.
Quick Tip:
Always remember: prefer ends with -er, not -fer.
Examples:
❌ She perfers morning walks over evening walks.
✅ She prefers morning walks over evening walks.
Prefer vs. Perfer
The correct spelling is prefer. The form perfer is always incorrect in English.
- Prefer → verb, meaning to like or choose one thing over another.
- Example: I prefer chocolate over vanilla.
- Perfer → ❌ incorrect spelling, often a typo for prefer.
Quick Tip:
Always remember: prefer ends with -er, not -fer.
Examples:
- ✅ She prefers reading to watching TV.
- ❌ She perfers reading to watching TV.
Using prefer correctly ensures your writing is accurate and professional.
FAQs on “Prefer or Perfer”
Q1. Which is correct: prefer or perfer?
Answer: Prefer is correct. Perfer is wrong.
Q2. Is perfer ever used in British English?
No, it is incorrect in all English dialects.
Q3. Why do people spell prefer as perfer?
Because of pronunciation mistakes and typing errors.
Q4. What is the past tense of prefer?
The past tense is preferred (double “r”).
Q5. What is the noun form of prefer?
The noun is preference.
Q6. Is “I prefer more better” correct?
No. Say: I prefer this or I like this better.
Q7. Can I say “I am preferring”?
Rarely. Prefer is usually used in simple present: I prefer.
Conclusion
When choosing between “prefer” or “perfer”, remember that only PERFER is always wrong, and PREFER is always correct. It has a clear origin, a fixed spelling in all forms of English, and remains the preferred choice for both formal and informal writing. Once you learn this spelling rule, you’ll avoid common grammar mistakes and write more confidently.
Whether you’re preparing for exams, writing emails, or creating content, use prefer. It is the accurate, accepted, and professional word. Keep practicing, and your spelling confidence will continue to grow.
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