a great preference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great preference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong liking or inclination towards something over others. Example: "She has a great preference for classical music over contemporary genres."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"He was rescued by a group of men, and he showed a great preference for men after that," Ms. Hiatt explained.

The New York Times

I should always be inclined to recommend dark rather than light colours for the water, and, personally, have a great preference for black, though red can be effective enough if the wearer can rely upon keeping her colour when bathing.

The Guardian - Books

There is a great preference in the semiconductor industry for the system-on-a-chip with as many different functional silicon-based (and perhaps other) devices on one silicon chip.

Nano Convergence

As a whole, postpartum women showed a great preference for a longer amount of time spent with their chosen companions.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

One study found that context matters: Women living in poorer environments may have a greater preference for masculine men, but women in more developed areas prefer more feminine-looking men, according to a study from the Face Research Laboratory.

Huffington Post

In portfolio selection, women tend to have a greater preference for fixed-income investments.

The New York Times

Planarians conditioned with sucrose (1%) displayed a greater preference shift than sucrose-naïve planarians.

Physiology & Behavior

We found that people given the article showed a greater preference for the delayed but larger rewards.

Harvard Business Review

The company argued that blacks also showed a greater preference for one cigarette characteristic, menthol, than other smokers.

The New York Times

People in their twenties and thirties showed a greater preference for fewer children but didn't change their relationship plans.

Harvard Business Review

They also showed a greater preference for the re-establishment of native species in the re-vegetation of roadside verges.

Landscape and Urban Planning

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great preference" when you want to indicate a strong liking or inclination without necessarily implying that other options are disliked. This phrase is suitable for expressing personal tastes or tendencies.

Common error

While "a great preference" is correct, avoid overusing "great" as a general intensifier. Vary your language with synonyms like "strong", "significant", or "marked" to add nuance and precision to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great preference" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. For example, "He showed a great preference for action movies."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

25%

News & Media

50%

Books

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a great preference" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase to express a strong liking or inclination. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While less common than alternatives like "strong preference", it effectively conveys a significant degree of favor. It is suitable for various writing contexts, although particularly present in news, science, and books. When writing, be mindful of not overusing "great" as a general intensifier, and consider varying your word choices. Overall, "a great preference" is a useful tool for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strong inclination

Emphasizes the mental leaning towards something.

a major leaning

Highlights bias toward something.

a marked predilection

More formal and emphasizes a pre-existing bias.

a noteworthy proclivity

Points out a strong, inherent tendency.

a distinct penchant

Suggests a particular and noticeable attraction.

a considerable liking

Focuses on enjoyment and positive feelings.

a pronounced bias

Focuses on partiality for something.

a significant favor

Highlights the positive evaluation of something.

a firm favorite

Highlights the popularity of something.

a decided taste

Implies a refined or cultivated appreciation.

FAQs

How can I use "a great preference" in a sentence?

You can use "a great preference" to indicate a strong liking for something. For example, "She has "a great preference" for jazz music over pop."

What are some alternatives to "a great preference"?

Some alternatives to "a great preference" include "a strong inclination", "a marked predilection", or "a considerable liking", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a great preference" or "a strong preference"?

Both "a great preference" and "a strong preference" are grammatically correct. "Strong" might be slightly more common, but "great" effectively conveys a significant level of liking.

What's the difference between "preference" and "predilection"?

"Preference" generally indicates a choice or liking, while "predilection" suggests a pre-existing bias or inclination. "Predilection" is often seen as more formal.