Common Confusion: Preferable vs Preferential

Preferable VS preferential Both are the adjective of the verb “prefer”. Then you may wonder, what’s the difference? Are they the same?

When you use “preferable”, you mean you would like that idea more. When you use “preferential”, you mean that idea somehow benefits you in some way.

Preferable Definition: better or more suitable (preferred) Example: For me, going out on a weekday is preferable to weekend because I hate crowds.

Preferential Definition: used to say that something you are given that is better than what other people receive Collocation: preferential treatment (優待) Example: Old people and underprivileged families with children have preferential access to public housing.