The Conditional Mood of Preferir is used to express hypothetical preference or what you would prefer in a given situation, for example: Preferiría tomar un café. (I would prefer to have a coffee.)

Preferir is a stem-changing verb, meaning the vowel in the stem changes from e to ie in certain conjugations. This pattern is common among many Spanish verbs.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Preferir (to prefer) in the Conditional Mood tense (Latin American Spanish):

The conditional mood of preferir is used to express hypothetical or imagined preferences, wishes, or desires.

Expressing a hypothetical preference: For example, Preferiría comer una ensalada. (I would prefer to eat a salad.) This conveys a preference in an imagined or hypothetical situation.

Expressing a polite wish or desire: For example, Preferiría que no fumaran aquí. (I would prefer that you don’t smoke here.) This expresses a polite wish or desire in a hypothetical scenario.

Expressing uncertainty or indecision: For example, No sé qué preferiría hacer este fin de semana. (I don’t know what I would prefer to do this weekend.) This conveys uncertainty or indecision about a hypothetical preference.

Expressing a conditional preference: For example, Preferiría quedarme en casa si llueve. (I would prefer to stay home if it rains.) This expresses a preference that is conditional on a hypothetical situation.

Expressing a hypothetical choice: For example, ¿Preferirías ir al cine o al parque? (Would you prefer to go to the movies or the park?) This presents a hypothetical choice between two or more options.

Expressing a polite suggestion or recommendation: For example, Preferiría que estudiaras más. (I would prefer that you study more.) This conveys a polite suggestion or recommendation in a hypothetical sense.

Examples

Examples of Preferir in the Conditional Mood

¿Preferirías ir al cine o quedarte en casa? (Would you prefer to go to the movies or stay home?)

Yo preferiría comer algo más saludable. (I would prefer to eat something healthier.)

Ellos preferirían viajar en avión en lugar de tomar el autobús. (They would prefer to travel by plane instead of taking the bus.)

¿Preferiríamos salir a cenar o pedir una pizza? (Would we prefer to go out for dinner or order a pizza?)

Mis amigos preferirían ir a un concierto en vivo. (My friends would prefer to go to a live concert.)

Para el cumpleaños de mamá, preferiría prepararle una cena especial. (For mom’s birthday, I would prefer to prepare a special dinner for her.)

En la reunión, preferirían discutir los nuevos proyectos. (In the meeting, they would prefer to discuss the new projects.)

¿Preferirías tomar un café o un té? (Would you prefer to have a coffee or a tea?)

Nosotros preferiríamos pasar las vacaciones en la playa. (We would prefer to spend our vacation at the beach.)

Para el evento, preferirían contratar un DJ en lugar de una banda. (For the event, they would prefer to hire a DJ instead of a band.)

¿Preferirías estudiar en casa o en la biblioteca? (Would you prefer to study at home or at the library?)

Yo preferiría trabajar de forma remota. (I would prefer to work remotely.)

Ellas preferirían tomar un curso de cocina. (They would prefer to take a cooking class.)

¿Preferiríamos ir de camping o reservar un hotel? (Would we prefer to go camping or book a hotel?)

Para la fiesta, preferirían contratar un servicio de catering. (For the party, they would prefer to hire a catering service.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Preferir (to prefer) in the Conditional Mood tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Conditional mood is also known as the Simple Conditional, Conditional Simple, Would Tense, or Future of the Past in English, and as Condicional Simple, Pospretérito, Potencial Simple, or Condicional de Indicativo in Spanish.