Prefer or Perfer: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-12 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: The only correct spelling is prefer, while perfer is a frequent misspelling. People often mix them up because the sounds are nearly identical and both use the prefix per-. However, the standard English dictionary only recognizes prefer as the valid verb meaning to like something more than another. Using perfer will look like an error in any formal writing, resume, or email, so it is best to always choose the double-e version to ensure your message is clear and professional.

The Short Answer

prefer is the correct spelling, whereas perfer is a misspelling that should be avoided in all writing. There is no valid English word that starts with per-f-e-r to mean choice or preference.

Confusion usually happens because the words sound exactly the same when spoken aloud. The tongue placement for the 'fer' ending is identical in both versions, leading to a common typo where an extra 'e' is accidentally removed. Additionally, the prefix 'per-' exists in many other words, which might trick a reader into thinking the misspelling is actually a real variant.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
prefer	Correct	When you want to say you like one option more than another.
perfer	Incorrect	Never, as this spelling does not exist in standard English.
verb	Part of Speech	It functions as an action word indicating a choice or liking.
root word	Origin	It comes from Latin and has been used consistently for centuries.

Correct Example Sentences

I prefer tea over coffee for my morning routine.
She prefers working from home to traveling to the office.
They prefer saving money to buying new things right now.
He prefers quiet evenings to loud parties on the weekend.
We prefer natural ingredients in our cooking every single day.
You should prefer safety to speed when driving a car.
Many parents prefer reading stories to watching television.
The team prefers practicing hard to playing easy matches.
I prefer walking to taking the bus in the rain.
They prefer fresh fruit to processed snacks for a healthy life.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

Please perfer your choice before the deadline ends.: Please prefer your choice before the deadline ends.
Do not perfer that color, it does not look right.: Do not prefer that color, it does not look right.
She always perfer the older version of the software.: She always prefers the older version of the software.
I will perfer the deal with the lower price.: I will prefer the deal with the lower price.
They perfer staying up late to going to bed early.: They prefer staying up late to going to bed early.
Let me perfer what I really want for my birthday.: Let me prefer what I really want for my birthday.

A Quick Test You Can Use

To check if you are using the right word, ensure you are describing a choice between two options. If you can replace the word with 'like better' in your sentence, the verb is functioning correctly and must be spelled with two e's. Avoid the trap of thinking the word sounds different; since the pronunciation is identical to the misspelling, you must rely on the spelling rule rather than the sound you hear.

Related Word Pairs

affect vs effect: Use affect as a verb and effect as a noun to describe cause and result.
their vs there: Use their for possession and there for a location or place.
then vs than: Use then for time sequence and than for comparisons.
accept vs except: Use accept to mean receive and except to mean leave out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there ever a time when perfer is correct?

No, perfer is never correct in standard English. It is always a misspelling of prefer. There are no valid words or phrases in the dictionary that start with perfer, so you should avoid using it to ensure your writing remains professional and error-free.

What is the difference between prefer and perfer?

The difference is that prefer is a real word while perfer is not. Prefer is the correct spelling used to indicate a choice or liking for one thing over another. Perfer simply looks like a typo and does not appear in any official language guides or dictionaries.

Why do people keep typing perfer instead of prefer?

People type perfer because the two words sound exactly the same when spoken. The sounds are identical, so typing the wrong letter combination is a common mistake made by both beginners and experienced writers who rely on hearing rather than spelling rules.

Can I use perfer in casual texting?

You should avoid using perfer even in casual texting because it is simply a spelling error. While people might understand what you mean, using incorrect spelling can make your message look unprofessional or careless. It is always better to type the correct word prefer to communicate your meaning clearly and effectively.