There are 218,000 search results on Bing for the misspelling 'Prefered'. 'Prefered' ranks in the top 0 of most common errors caught by TripleChecker, with at least 3,194 websites containing this mistake.¹
The word "preferred" functions primarily as a verb (past tense of prefer) and can also be used as an adjective. As a verb, it means to hold something in higher regard or to favor it over alternatives. As an adjective, it describes something that is favored or chosen over others.
Preferred
The word "preferred" originates from the Latin word "praeferre," which means "to carry before" or "to prefer." This Latin term is a combination of "prae-" meaning "before" and "ferre" meaning "to carry." The word entered Middle English as "preferen" and was adapted into the modern English form "preferred."
The word "preferred" is pronounced as /prɪˈfɜrd/. It has stress on the second syllable, sounding like "pri-FERD."
The word 'preferred' can be used in a sentence such as, "She preferred to study in the morning when it was quiet." When using 'preferred,' it's important to ensure the correct spelling includes the double 'r,' and to remember that it is the past tense of 'prefer,' indicating a choice that has already been made. Additionally, be cautious with context, as 'preferred' often requires a comparison to indicate what is being favored over another option.