Eu prefiro comer em casa.

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Breakdown of Eu prefiro comer em casa.

• a casa: the house
• comer: to eat
• em: at

Questions & Answers about Eu prefiro comer em casa.

Why is comer in the infinitive form instead of como (the present-tense form)?

In Portuguese, when you have verbs like prefiro (I prefer), gosto (I like), or quero (I want) followed by another verb, that second verb usually remains in the infinitive. This is because the conjugated verb (prefiro) already indicates who’s performing the action.

Why is the sentence Eu prefiro comer em casa instead of Eu prefiro comer na casa?

In Portuguese, em casa means “at home” in a general sense and doesn’t need an article. Saying na casa (at the house) is more specific, often implying someone else’s house or a different specific house, not your own.

Can I say Eu prefiro comer dentro de casa?

Yes, you can, but the meaning is slightly different. Dentro de casa adds the idea of being literally “inside the house,” whereas em casa is more general, simply meaning you prefer to eat at home instead of out somewhere else.

Does Eu prefiro comer em casa use formal language?

The sentence is neutral and can be used in both casual and polite situations. It’s entirely appropriate for everyday conversation as well as more formal contexts.