PREFER

If you prefer one person or thing to another, you like the first one better.I prefer art to sports.She preferred cooking at home to eating in restaurants.
Don't use any preposition except to in sentences like these. Don't say, for example 'I prefer art than sports'.

Prefer is rather formal. In ordinary conversation, you often use expressions such as like...better and would rather... instead. For example, instead of saying 'I prefer football to tennis', you can say 'I like football better than tennis'. Instead of saying 'I'd prefer an apple',you can say 'I'd rather have an apple'.

Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012

'AS IF' and 'AS THOUGH'

You can use as if or as though at the beginning of a clause when you are describing how someone or something looks, or how someone behaves.

It's a wonderful item and in such good condition that it looks as though it was bought yesterday.

He lunged towards me as if he expected me to aim a gun at him.

Many people think it is incorrect to use 'was' in clauses of this type. They say you should use were instead.

He looked at me as if I were mad.

She remembered it all as if it were yesterday.

However, in conversation people usually use was.

The secretary spoke as though it was some kind of password.

He gave his orders as if this was only another training exercise.

You can use was or were in conversation, but in formal writing you should use were.

Some people say like instead of 'as if' or 'as though'.

He looked like he felt sorry for me.

Shaerl put up balloons all over the house like it was a six-year-old's party.

This use is generally regarded as incorrect.

Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012

Use of English - Rephrasing #006 (CAE)

CAE example rephrasing test. Between 3-6 words. Highlight under the sentences to see the answers.

39. The plane failed to depart on schedule due to an engine malfunction.

OFF

The plane                                          as planned due to an engine malfunction.

DID NOT TAKE OFF

40. There were not as many tourists this year due to the economic downturn.

SIGNIFICANTLY

Compared to previous years, we had                                         due to the economic downturn.

SIGNIFICANTLY LESS/FEWER TOURISTS

41. I really don’t know what to say about that news.

WORDS

I am at                                             about the news.

A LOSS FOR WORDS

 EXTRA

Rewrite this sentences in a different way including the word provided.

42. It is still light. (YET) 

It isn’t dark yet

43. I’ve lived in the country [from ten years now] and I love it. (SINCE)

Since ten years ago.

44. The family doesn’t live here anymore. Thank goodness. (LONGER)

The family no longer lives here OR doesn’t live here any longer

45. I Like this town a lot because is quiet and pretty. (FOND)

I’m fond of this town because…

46. What was the cause of the argument, do you know? (REASON)

What was the reason behind/for the argument?

47. The tall, good-looking man [started the discussion]. (WHO)

Was who started the discussion.

 

Use of English - Rephrasing #005 (CAE)

CAE example rephrasing test. Between 3-6 words. Highlight under the sentences to see the answers.

33. I can’t understand why you would ask her to come on holiday. She hates the beach. POINT

I don’t                               trying to convince her to come on holiday. She hates the beach.

SEE THE POINT IN

34. We’ve had our share of good and bad times like most married couples. DOWNS

Like the most married couples, we’ve had                                     .

OUR UPS AND DOWNS

35. The wind howled outside as the tornado approached. ONLY

As the tornado approached,                                               heard outside.

ONLY THE WIND COULD BE

36. Do you think you could help me move on Saturday? WONDERING

I                                                                 me a hand moving on Saturday?

WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD GIVE/LEND

37. Help yourself to coffee and biscuits. FEEL

                                      to take some coffee and biscuits.

PLEASE, FEEL FREE

38. The protestors demanded the minister’s resignation in the wake of the scandal. FOR

The protesters                                              the minister in the wake of the scandal.

CALLED FOR THE RESIGNATION OF