Preferred vs. Prefered — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on July 12, 2023
"Preferred" is the correct spelling, meaning liked or desired above all others. "Prefered" is the incorrect spelling of "Preferred."
Which is correct: Preferred or Prefered
How to spell Preferred?
Preferred
Correct Spelling
Prefered
Incorrect Spelling
Difference Between Preferred and Prefered
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Preferred" is the proper past tense and past participle of the verb "prefer." On the other hand, "prefered" is an incorrect spelling in English.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 12, 2023
"Preferred" means to like something more than something else. "Prefered" does not exist in the dictionary.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 12, 2023
In English, when a verb ends in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern, like "prefer," the final consonant is usually doubled before adding "-ed" or "-ing." This explains the double "r" in "preferred." Therefore "Prefered" is the wrong word.
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Jul 12, 2023
"Prefered", with a single 'r', can often be a typo, a mistake in a text, or perhaps a misspelling by someone who is learning the language.
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Jul 12, 2023
While writing or typing, always ensure to use "preferred" to portray your choice or priority. Misusing it as "prefered" could cause confusion or misconceptions in communication.
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Jul 12, 2023
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Definitions
Preferred
In legal terms, "preferred" means having a prior or superior claim or right.
Preferred creditors get their debts paid back before unsecured creditors in case of bankruptcy.
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Jul 12, 2023
Preferred
To choose or be in the habit of choosing as more desirable or as having more value.
She prefers coffee to tea.
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Jul 10, 2018
Prefered
"Prefered" is actually a misspelling of the correct word, "preferred."
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Jul 12, 2023
Preferred
"Preferred" refers to liking something more than something else.
He preferred chocolate ice cream to vanilla.
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Jul 12, 2023
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Prefered
In English, the correct form of the past tense and past participle of the verb "prefer" is "preferred," with a double "r".
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Preferred
In the finance world, "preferred" refers to a type of stock that has a higher claim on a company's assets and earnings.
The preferred stockholders received their dividends before the common stockholders.
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Jul 12, 2023
Prefered
The English language usually doubles the final consonant before adding "-ed" or "-ing" when a verb ends in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern, which explains why "Prefered" is the wrong word.
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Jul 12, 2023
Preferred
To present (a case) to a court as ready for consideration.
Prefer the case for trial
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Jul 10, 2018
Prefered
The misspelled version "prefered" with a single "r" is commonly seen as a typo or as a mistake by someone who is still learning English.
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Jul 12, 2023
Preferred
"Preferred" might refer to the usual way someone does something.
Email is my preferred method of communication because it allows me to keep track of all correspondence.
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Prefered
Despite being a common mistake, using "prefered" instead of "preferred" can potentially lead to confusion and should be avoided in professional and academic settings.
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Preferred
To treat someone or something as more important than others.
Injured people were preferred for immediate medical attention during the rescue operation.
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Preferred
In discussions about gender, "preferred" might refer to someone's chosen pronouns.
Her preferred pronouns are 'she' and 'her'."
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Preferred
Preferred indicates having chosen something over other options because it is more desirable.
She always preferred trains over airplanes for long-distance travel.
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Preferred
To present (a charge) against a defendant before a court.
Prefer an indictment
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Jul 10, 2018
Preferred
More desirable than another.
Coffee is preferable to tea.
Danny's preferred name is 'Dan'.
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Jul 10, 2018
FAQs
Which is correct preferred or prefered?
The correct spelling is "preferred". "Prefered" is a common misspelling.
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Jul 12, 2023
Is most preferred correct?
Yes, "most preferred" is grammatically correct and indicates the top choice among several options.
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Jul 12, 2023
Is least preferred correct?
Yes, you can use "least preferred" to denote the option you like the least.
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Jul 12, 2023
What is a synonym for low preferred?
A synonym for "low preferred" could be "least favored" or "least desired".
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What is preferred CV or resume?
The preference between a CV or resume can depend on the job and the country. A CV is usually more detailed and used for academic positions, while a resume is concise and used for most other job applications.
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Jul 12, 2023
How do you use prefer and preferred?
You use "prefer" when talking about a current choice or habit. For example, "I prefer coffee to tea." "Preferred" is used when talking about a past choice. For example, "I preferred coffee when I was in college."
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Jul 12, 2023
Why does preferred have a double R?
In English, when a verb ends in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern, the final consonant is usually doubled before adding "-ed" or "-ing". Therefore, "prefer" becomes "preferred".
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Jul 12, 2023
What is meant by preferred stock?
Preferred stock is a type of stock that has a higher claim on the earnings and assets of a corporation than common stock.
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Jul 12, 2023
Is preferred an adjective?
Yes, "preferred" can act as an adjective, as in "my preferred option."
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Jul 12, 2023
Which preposition is used with preferred?
The preposition "to" is most commonly used with "preferred". For example, "I preferred the cake to the pie."
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What is preferred location in CV?
In a CV, a preferred location is the place where a job applicant would most like to work.
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What means by preferred?
"Preferred" means to favor, choose, or desire one thing over another.
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Why is it called preferred shares?
They are called preferred shares because holders of these shares are granted certain privileges over holders of common shares, such as priority in receiving dividends.
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Which word means the same as the word preferred?
The word "favored" is a synonym for "preferred".
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What is the meaning of preferred course?
A preferred course refers to a study program that an individual favors or desires over other options.
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What is preferred date?
A preferred date refers to a specific date that is more favorable or desirable to an individual than other dates.
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What is the root word of preferred?
The root word of "preferred" is "prefer".
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What is preferred location?
A preferred location is a place that an individual finds more desirable or favorable than others.
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Is preferred a transitive verb?
Yes, "preferred" is a transitive verb as it requires an object to express a complete thought.
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What's the pronunciation of preferred?
Preferred is pronounced as pruh-furd.
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Jul 12, 2023
What is preferred in job?
In a job context, preferred usually refers to the qualities, qualifications, or skills that an employer would like a candidate to have but that are not strictly necessary.
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What is a preferred skill?
A preferred skill is a skill that an employer would like a candidate to have for a certain job but that is not absolutely necessary.
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What is a preferred candidate?
A preferred candidate is the job applicant that an employer most wants to hire based on their qualifications, experience, and skills.
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Is preferred an action verb?
Yes, "preferred" is an action verb as it shows the action of liking or favoring something more than something else.
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Jul 12, 2023
What is the opposite of preferred?
The opposite of preferred would be "disfavored" or "undesired".
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Is it preferred or preferable option?
Both are correct but have slightly different meanings. "Preferred" means it's already chosen, while "preferable" suggests it's more desirable but not necessarily chosen yet.
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Jul 12, 2023
Is it preferred stock or preferred shares?
Both terms are used interchangeably and refer to the same financial instrument that gives the holder certain advantages over common stockholders.
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Jul 12, 2023
What is preferred routes?
Preferred routes refer to the pathways or directions that are more desirable or favorable than others.
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What is preferred repayment date?
A preferred repayment date is the date that a borrower finds most convenient for repaying a loan or debt.
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Jul 12, 2023
Does preferred mean necessary?
No, preferred does not mean necessary. It indicates a choice or favorability, but it does not imply obligation.
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Jul 12, 2023
How do you write preferred?
The correct spelling is "preferred", with two 'r's.
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Jul 12, 2023
How do you use preferred in a sentence?
Here's an example: "I preferred the blue dress over the red one."
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Jul 12, 2023
What is the adjective of preferred?
"Preferred" itself can function as an adjective, as in "my preferred choice."
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Jul 12, 2023
Is preferred a verb or noun?
"Preferred" is primarily used as a verb. It is the past tense of the verb "prefer".
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Jul 12, 2023
What type of noun is preferred?
"Preferred" is not typically used as a noun. It is primarily used as a verb or an adjective.
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Jul 12, 2023
Author Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
