phrases - "Prefer to" vs "prefer than"


I am confused as to when to use "prefer to" and "prefer than".
For example, we write:



I prefer coffee to tea.



So why can't we use than instead of to?
Also, can someone give me an example of a sentence where we use prefer than? I exactly can't remember a sentence but I'm sure I've read it somewhere.



Answer



The English phrase is prefer to.


Q. "So why can't we use than instead of to?"
That's just the way it is - that's the way the language has developed.


Q. "Can someone give me an example of a sentence where we use prefer than?"
No. It wouldn't be correct English.


"I exactly can't remember a sentence but I'm sure I've read it somewhere."
If you have read it, it was incorrect.


You may also like to look at this thread.


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