a clear cut preference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clear cut preference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong or distinct choice between options. Example: "After reviewing all the candidates, we have a clear cut preference for Jane due to her extensive experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the third task, designed to force the subjects to choose between two conflicting novelty cues (texture and position), non-lesioned subjects displayed a clear-cut preference for textural novelty while subjects having bilateral vibrissal paralysis preferred positional novelty.

Behavioural Brain Research

Under these conditions, nearly half of animals are expected to shift in preference from LL to SS ("steep" sub-population) while the other half maintain a clear-cut preference for LL ("flat" sub-population, see [ 55]).

Behavioral and Brain Functions

However, unlike the clear cut preference for the feature strategy we found in the first experiment, in the current experiment we found that five subjects used a spatial strategy to solve the task.

Animal Cognition

"We believe we have a clear cut case.

BBC

Louis' story has a clear cut progression.

Vice

However, it is still not clear cut whether preferences for patients and caregivers change significantly over time.

BMC Palliative Care

Some very abundant species (e.g. Arthaldeus pascuellus, Streptanus sordidus, Deltocephalus pulicaris), which are generalists on graminoids [ 22], show a clear preference for plots cut three times per year.

BMC Ecology

The negative direct effect of higher cutting frequency on Shannon diversity (eH´) and species richness of leafhoppers indicates that the majority of leafhopper species found within our study site showed a clear preference for plots cut only once a year, which is in line with findings of other studies [ 31, 35].

BMC Ecology

Concerning the recruitment strategy for participants in the human biomonitoring no one clear-cut preference emerged.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

They found that two-thirds of the tools were cut from the left sides of leaves--indicating a clear lateral preference, the team says.

Science Magazine

The matter of lungs are a little more clear cut.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a clear cut preference" to explicitly state a definitive choice or inclination in a situation, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a clear cut preference" when the choice is subtle or nuanced. Ensure the context truly reflects a strong, easily discernible preference to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clear cut preference" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a readily apparent choice or leaning towards something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in expressing a strong and distinct choice.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a clear cut preference" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase that indicates a definite choice or inclination. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's effective for expressing strong preferences across contexts like science, news, and business. To ensure proper usage, avoid overstating preferences in nuanced scenarios. Alternative expressions include "a distinct inclination" and "a strong liking". Ludwig's analysis underscores its role in clear and decisive communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a distinct inclination

Replaces "preference" with "inclination", emphasizing a tendency or leaning.

a strong liking

Substitutes "preference" with "liking", focusing on positive feelings towards something.

a marked predilection

Uses "predilection" to denote a special fondness or liking, adding a formal tone.

a decided favoritism

Replaces "preference" with "favoritism", suggesting bias or partiality.

a definite leaning

Emphasizes a specific direction or tendency in choice.

a pronounced choice

Highlights the act of choosing and its clarity.

a significant bias

Focuses on the imbalance or leaning towards one option.

an obvious inclination

Underscores the easiness to detect the preference.

a demonstrable partiality

Highlights the capability to prove or make evident the partiality.

an unambiguous leaning

Underscores the unicity of the leaning.

FAQs

How can I use "a clear cut preference" in a sentence?

You can use "a clear cut preference" to indicate a definitive choice, such as, "After careful consideration, the board has a clear cut preference for the proposed merger."

What can I say instead of "a clear cut preference"?

You can use alternatives like "a distinct inclination", "a strong liking", or "a marked predilection depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "a very clear cut preference"?

While "a clear cut preference" already implies a strong choice, adding "very" can emphasize the strength further, but it might sound slightly redundant. Consider the context to determine if the added emphasis is necessary.

What's the difference between "a clear cut preference" and "a slight preference"?

"A clear cut preference" indicates a strong, easily noticeable choice, while "a slight preference" suggests a mild inclination that may not be immediately obvious.