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ESL forum > Ask for help > Infinitive    

Infinitive



Dayana
Peru

Infinitive
 
Hi friends

I would like someone to tell me if this sentence is correct

"I would prefer to go out than to stay at home"

Should the second infinitive "to" be omitted? Or it could be also correct in that way?

Thanks in advance

19 Mar 2014      





Sonn
Russian Federation

I would prefer going out to staying at home.

19 Mar 2014     



Dayana
Peru

Thanks
Can I also say
I would prefer going out than staying home

Or should it be TO instead of than?

19 Mar 2014     



MoodyMoody
United States

Your first sentence, "I would prefer to go than to stay at home" is perfectly fine. You can leave out the second to; it is implied because of the first to. The preposition at is also optional. Sonn �s sentence is good as well. Your second sentence, "I would prefer going out than staying home" does not sound right to me. I don �t like than with the gerunds. Use to as you suggest yourself. 

19 Mar 2014     



Apodo
Australia

This is how I would say it:

I prefer going out rather than staying at home.
I prefer going out to staying at home.


I would prefer going out than staying home - this doesn �t sound quite right.

This is how I would say it:

I would prefer to go out rather than staying at home.

If given the choice I would prefer going out to staying at home.
I would prefer going out to staying at home next Saturday.
I would prefer going out to staying at home if the workmen are there making a noise.

I use British English. US English uses �than� differently.

19 Mar 2014     



Dayana
Peru

Thanks a lot
Blessings!

19 Mar 2014     



a.antonides
Spain

I would rather go out than stay at home. / I prefer going out to staying at home.

I would rather + bare infinitive than + bare infinitive OR I prefer + gerund to + gerund

20 Mar 2014     



yanogator
United States

I agree that we don �t use "than" with "prefer".
 
Bruce

20 Mar 2014     



monder78
Poland

Hi  The answer is I �d PREFER TO GO  out  RATHER THAN STAY at home. Follow the pattern. You �ll find it in V.Evans  FCE Use of English.

21 Mar 2014