The phrases “prefer A to B” and “like A better than B” both express a comparison of preferences, but they differ slightly in formality, usage, and nuance:
prefer A to B 「と 」like A better than B “はどちらも好みの比較を表すフレーズだが、形式や用法、ニュアンスが微妙に異なる：
1. Prefer A to B
Meaning: Indicates a formal preference for A over B.
Usage: This phrase is more formal and is commonly used in written or polite contexts.
Structure: Prefer + noun/gerund + to + noun/gerund.
Example: I prefer tea to coffee.
Example: She prefers walking to driving.
Nuance: Suggests a stronger, perhaps habitual or general preference.
2. Like A better than B
Meaning: Indicates a casual liking of A more than B.
Usage: This phrase is informal and common in everyday spoken English.
Structure: Like + noun/gerund + better than + noun/gerund.
Example: I like tea better than coffee.
Example: She likes walking better than driving.
Nuance: Sounds more conversational and less definitive than “prefer.”
Key Difference:
Formality: “Prefer A to B” is more formal, while “like A better than B” is casual.
Grammatical Precision: “Prefer A to B” follows stricter grammar rules, making it common in academic or professional settings.
Tone: “Like A better than B” feels more personal and relatable, suitable for casual conversations.
Both can often be used interchangeably in meaning, but choosing one depends on the context and tone of the communication.
phrase /freɪz/ フレーズ、表現
prefer A to B /prɪˈfɜːr eɪ tuː biː/ AをBよりも好む
like A better than B /laɪk eɪ ˈbɛtər ðən biː/ AをBよりも好き
express /ɪkˈsprɛs/ 表現する
comparison /kəmˈpærɪsən/ 比較
preference /ˈprɛfərəns/ 好み、選好
differ /ˈdɪfər/ 異なる
formality /fɔːrˈmælɪti/ フォーマルさ、形式的なこと
usage /ˈjuːsɪdʒ/ 使用法
nuance /ˈnuːɑːns/ ニュアンス
indicates /ˈɪndɪkeɪts/ 示す、指し示す
formal /ˈfɔːrml/ 形式的な
polite /pəˈlaɪt/ 丁寧な
context /ˈkɒntɛkst/ 文脈、状況
structure /ˈstrʌktʃər/ 構造
noun /naʊn/ 名詞
gerund /ˈdʒɛrənd/ 動名詞
habitual /həˈbɪtʃuəl/ 習慣的な
general /ˈdʒɛnərəl/ 一般的な
casual /ˈkæʒuəl/ カジュアルな、気軽な
spoken /ˈspoʊkən/ 話し言葉の
conversational /ˌkɒnvərˈseɪʃənl/ 会話の、口語的な
definitive /dɪˈfɪnɪtɪv/ 決定的な、確定的な
interchangeable /ˌɪntərˈtʃeɪndʒəbl/ 交換可能な
meaning /ˈmiːnɪŋ/ 意味
tone /toʊn/ 調子、雰囲気
academic /ˌækəˈdɛmɪk/ 学問的な、学術的な
professional /prəˈfɛʃənl/ 専門的な、職業的な
conversational tone /ˌkɒnvərˈseɪʃənl toʊn/ 会話的なトーン、親しみやすい話し方
stricter /ˈstrɪktər/ より厳密な
grammatical precision /ɡrəˈmætɪkl prɪˈsɪʒən/ 文法的な正確さ
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