aimer mieux

== French == === Etymology === Comparative of aimer bien === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ɛ.me mjø/ ~ /e.me mjø/ === Verb === aimer mieux (literally) to like better to prefer Synonym: préférer J'aime mieux la campagne que la ville. ― I prefer the country to the town. J'aimerais encore mieux ne plus jamais en parler. ― I'd rather not talk about it ever again. N'aimeriez-vous pas mieux le voir par vous-même ? ― Wouldn't you rather see it for yourself? J'aime bien mieux savoir que de croire. ― I prefer knowing to believing. Est-ce que tu aimerais mieux que je le fasse ? ― Would you rather I did it? ==== Usage notes ==== The comparative adverbial element mieux can be rendered superlative (aimer le mieux (“to most prefer, i.e., to like best”)) or modified by certain intensifying adverbs: aimer bien mieux (“to much prefer”) aimer encore mieux (“to prefer even more”) aimer beaucoup mieux (“to much prefer”) etc. If aimer has a direct-object complement: no preposition or conjunction is needed to introduce a nominal or infinitive verbal complement; que is used to introduce a complement consisting of a subjunctive verbal element or a prepositional locution. If mieux has a complement of comparison, that complement can be marked in different ways depending on its contents: que introduces a complement consisting of nominal or pronominal elements; que de introduces a complement consisting of an infinitive verbal element note that de can optionally be omitted, however, this may slightly alter the meaning; que si can be used to introduce a complement consisting of a verbal element conjugated in personal form. === References ===