Spanish Phrase
Prefiero comprar por internet.
Meaning
This sentence means ‘I prefer to buy (things) online.’ It expresses a personal preference for the method of shopping rather than the act of shopping itself.
When to use
Use it when you want to compare shopping habits, explain why you order things from home, or discuss the rise of e‑commerce in everyday conversation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Prefierocomprarporinternet
Preferir (present)
‘Preferir’ is a stem‑changing verb (e → ie). In the first‑person singular present it becomes ‘prefiero’.
Infinitive after ‘preferir’
When ‘preferir’ is followed by another action, the second verb stays in the infinitive: ‘preferir + infinitivo’.
Por + noun (means)
The preposition ‘por’ is used to indicate the means or manner of an action, here ‘por internet’ = ‘by means of the internet’.
Internet vs. en línea
Both ‘internet’ and ‘en línea’ are common; ‘por internet’ is slightly more colloquial.
🗨In Conversation
¿Cómo sueles comprar tus cosas?
How do you usually shop for things?
Prefiero comprar por internet.
I prefer to buy online.
✕Common Mistakes
Prefiero comprar en internet.
‘En internet’ is not idiomatic; the correct preposition for means is ‘por’.
Prefiero comprar a internet.
‘A’ is used for direction, not for means.
Prefiero comprando por internet.
After ‘preferir’ you need the infinitive, not the gerund.
↔Alternatives
Me gusta comprar por internet.
I like buying online.
Prefiero hacer compras en línea.
I prefer to do shopping online.
Prefiero comprar en línea.
I prefer to shop online.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, e‑commerce has exploded in the last decade, especially in Mexico, Spain, and Argentina. While ‘por internet’ is perfectly understood everywhere, younger speakers often say ‘en línea’ or simply ‘online’. In formal writing you might see ‘a través de internet’ for added politeness.