Preferir conjugation and meaning

Use the present forms of preferir for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.

Use present estar with prefiriendo for an action in progress now.

Use present haber with preferido for a completed action connected to the present.

Use present haber, estado and prefiriendo to emphasize an activity continuing into the present.

Use the preterite when the action of preferir is presented as completed in the past.

Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of preferir, or for background information.

Use imperfect haber with preferido for an action completed before another past point.

Use the future forms of preferir for predictions, promises and future statements.

Use future haber with preferido for an action that will be complete before a future point.

Use the conditional forms of preferir for hypothetical or tactful statements.

Use conditional haber with preferido for a hypothetical completed past action.

Use these forms when a current wish, reaction, doubt or another trigger requires the subjunctive.

Use present-subjunctive haber with preferido for a completed action in a present subjunctive context.

Use these forms for past subjunctive contexts and hypothetical structures; the equivalent -se series is also accepted where supplied.

Use imperfect-subjunctive haber with preferido for an unreal or earlier completed past action.

Choose the affirmative command of preferir that matches the person being addressed.

Use no with the matching command form of preferir.