I favour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I favour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a preference or support for something over another option. Example: "I favour renewable energy sources over fossil fuels for a sustainable future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I favour learning.

The Guardian

I favour legal abortion.

The Economist

I favour the latter.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I favour the Mario Nintendo games.

Independent

For a large crowd, I favour beef.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Not that I favour bribery.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I favour this approach," he added.

The Guardian

I favour an icy cold Corona.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I favour a holiday with a mission.

The Guardian - Travel

"I favour eating little and often," Marber says.

Independent

M: E, you know I favour bright lipsticks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I favour", ensure that the context clearly indicates the options being compared to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "I favour" in extremely informal contexts; consider alternatives like "I prefer" or "I like" for casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I favour" functions as a declarative statement expressing personal preference or support. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase is used when someone wants to state their inclination towards a specific option.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Lifestyle

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I favour" is a versatile expression used to indicate preference or support, as confirmed by Ludwig. With a grammatical status of "correct", it frequently appears in news and lifestyle contexts, highlighting its utility in expressing opinions. While generally neutral in register, it leans towards the professional side. Numerous authoritative sources, like The Guardian and BBC, employ this phrase, solidifying its credibility. For more casual settings, consider using alternatives such as "I prefer" or "I like".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I prefer

Direct synonym; indicates a stronger degree of liking for one option over another.

I'd rather

A contraction indicating a preference for one thing over another.

My preference is for

A more formal and emphatic declaration of one's choice.

I have a preference for

Formal way of stating a preferred choice.

I'm in favor of

Expresses support or approval for a particular option.

I lean towards

Suggests a tendency or inclination towards a particular option.

I support

Indicates active approval and backing of a choice.

I'm inclined to

Indicates a predisposition or leaning in favor of something.

I'm partial to

Shows a fondness or special liking for something.

I'm drawn to

Implies an attraction or allure towards a specific choice.

FAQs

What does "I favour" mean?

The phrase "I favour" means that you prefer or support something over another option. It indicates a preference or approval.

How can I use "I favour" in a sentence?

You can use "I favour" to express a preference. For example: "I favour the "blue dress" over the red one" or "I favour renewable energy sources".

What can I say instead of "I favour"?

You can use alternatives like "I prefer", "I lean towards", or "I support" depending on the context.

Is "I favour" formal or informal?

The phrase "I favour" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "I prefer" or "I like", making it suitable for professional or neutral contexts.