transformation of sentence

Yes it is optional; it's rhetoric.

EDITED POST

With "prefer," use "to" with the -ing forms.

She prefers A to B.

She prefers watching a movie to [watching] a cricket match.

With the infinitives, you can use "than" but I actually would switch to "would rather" and the bare infinitive.

She prefers to watch a movie than attend a play. --> She would r

Grammar GeekShe prefers to watch a movie than attend a play.

For clarification, why is 'than' in the above sentence. It should be 'to' as you said.

Thanks in advance.

I edited my post - I gave some terrible advice the first time!

Hi GG

Many thanks for the clarification.

Sorry - I shouldn't try to do two things at the same time.

Hi GG

It's OK. It's only a careless mistake.

Many thanks again.