"prefer to"+Inf or "prefer"+Ger

[nq:1]Is there any kind of preference between the variants: 1) I prefer to have a substantial lunch. 2) I prefer having a substantial lunch[/nq]
(1) is much better than (2). I'd say (2) needs to continue with "...to..." or "...than..."
[nq:1]or maybe 3) I prefer a substantial lunch[/nq]
The sentence is fine but I don't think it fits with the sentence below.
[nq:1]- all following so

[nq:2]Is there any kind of preference between the variants: 1) I prefer to have a substantial lunch. 2) I prefer having a substantial lunch[/nq]
[nq:1](1) is much better than (2). I'd say (2) needs to continue with "...to..." or "...than..."[/nq]
The difference between (1) and (2) has to do with the semantic type represented by the complements. McCawley says "Roughly speaking, that-complem

The OP meant that the sentences above were written after the one below. Knowing that, I'd say that all three of the above sentences are fine.
[nq:2]- all following something like I only have a cup of coffee for breakfast. ?[/nq]
A side note: I would have written:
"I have only a cup of coffee for breakfast."

Skitt (in Hayward, California)
www.geocities.com/opus731/

[nq:1]The difference between (1) and (2) has to do with the semantic type represented by the complements. McCawley says "Roughly ... an infinitive, 'prefer' is much closer to 'want' or 'like'; with a gerund, it's more likely to be a comparison.[/nq]
[nq:2]The sentence is fine but I don't think it fits with the sentence below.[/nq]
[nq:1](3) would be fine after that sentence, provided it st

[nq:2](3) would be fine after that sentence, provided it started with "but".[/nq]
[nq:1]An implied "but" was enough for me to accept (3) in the above context.[/nq]
"I only have a cup of coffee for breakfast. I prefer a substantial lunch."

I know it's not that bad, but it jars with me somehow. The lunch sentence seems designed to contrast with (someone) having a non-substantial lun