The Subjunctive Mood of Preferir is used to express preferences, desires, or suggestions that are subjective or uncertain. For example, Prefiero que vengas conmigo. (I prefer that you come with me.)

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

Conjugations

Conjugations of Preferir (to prefer) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Castilian Spanish):

Preferir generally means “to prefer” or “to choose”, but has several different meanings in the Subjunctive Mood, some of which might surprise you.

To prefer or choose: For example, Prefiero que tú lo hagas (I prefer that you do it).

To want or desire: For example, Prefiero que vengas conmigo (I want you to come with me).

To like better: For example, Prefiero que me digas la verdad (I’d rather you tell me the truth).

Colloquial usage: For example, ¿Prefieres que te deje en paz? (Do you want me to leave you alone? – implying a threat).

Examples

Examples of Preferir in the Subjunctive Mood

Yo prefiero que tú prefieras la verdad a las mentiras. (I prefer that you prefer the truth over lies.)

Es importante que prefiramos opciones saludables en nuestra dieta. (It’s important that we prefer healthy options in our diet.)

Aunque no es obligatorio, me gustaría que prefieras pagar con tarjeta de crédito. (Although it’s not mandatory, I’d like you to prefer paying with a credit card.)

Ojalá que prefieran viajar en tren en lugar de conducir. (I hope they prefer to travel by train instead of driving.)

Para tener éxito, es crucial que prefiramos el esfuerzo sobre la pereza. (To be successful, it’s crucial that we prefer effort over laziness.)

Sugiero que prefiráis actividades al aire libre los fines de semana. (I suggest that you all prefer outdoor activities on weekends.)

Aunque es difícil, prefiero que seas honesto conmigo. (Although it’s difficult, I prefer that you be honest with me.)

Mis padres insisten en que prefiera una carrera práctica sobre mis sueños. (My parents insist that I prefer a practical career over my dreams.)

Sería genial que prefieran pasar tiempo de calidad juntos en familia. (It would be great if they prefer to spend quality time together as a family.)

El jefe recomienda que prefiramos el trabajo en equipo al individualismo. (The boss recommends that we prefer teamwork over individualism.)

Aunque es caro, prefiero que prefieras productos de calidad superior. (Although it’s expensive, I prefer that you prefer superior quality products.)

Espero que prefieran viajar de forma ecológica cuando sea posible. (I hope they prefer to travel in an eco-friendly way when possible.)

Mis amigos quieren que prefiramos salir de fiesta en lugar de quedarnos en casa. (My friends want us to prefer going out partying instead of staying home.)

Sería ideal que prefieras ahorrar dinero para el futuro. (It would be ideal if you prefer to save money for the future.)

Aunque es una decisión difícil, prefiero que prefieran su felicidad sobre todo lo demás. (Although it’s a difficult decision, I prefer that they prefer their happiness over everything else.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Preferir (to prefer) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

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

Synonyms

The Subjunctive mood is also known as the Simple Subjunctive, Subjunctive Present, or Present Subjunctive Mood in English, and as Presente de Subjuntivo, Subjuntivo Presente, Presente del Modo Subjuntivo, or Tiempo Presente del Subjuntivo in Spanish.