a practical preference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a practical preference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a choice or inclination that is based on practicality or usefulness rather than theoretical or aesthetic considerations. Example: "In choosing a new software tool, I have a practical preference for options that offer user-friendly interfaces and robust support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

His management approach may be as much a function of his own philosophy as it is a practical preference.

The New York Times

The Church's firm opposition to birth control, for instance, could be softened by an acceptance of condom use to protect health, or by a practical preference for contraception over abortion.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Oakeshott gave to the old British preference for the specifics of experience over the abstractions of argument an almost ethical, life-encompassing dimension, and the dimension of philosophical value that he gave to this practical preference ended by making him a wise guide to the world as it is.

The New Yorker

Raceday medication is bound up with the United States' historic and very practical preference for racing on dirt, which can withstand the rigours of meetings that last for many weeks.

The Guardian - Sport

(3) An aggregated dynamic weighting criterion is introduced that dynamically combines the soft and hard constraints with control objectives to provide the designer with a set of Pareto optimal solutions and lets her to decide the target solution based on practical preferences.

Applied Soft Computing

The practical preferences expressed by ClinSeq® participants have important implications for healthcare providers offering such sequencing.

Genetics in Medicine

But even when staying at home does represent a practical option, can the preference for home be so reflexive that families ignore its drawbacks, or overlook the benefits that congregant living can provide?

The New York Times

The aim of the second session was to develop a comprehensive care plan based on the care plan developed by the Dutch College of General Practitioners [ 24] and a practical tool to prioritise preferences of the elderly and discuss their medication use, based on Fried et al. [ 25].

BMC Medical Education

A practical application of one indirect preference method (travel cost method) is made to evaluate outdoor recreation in forests in Slovakia.

Ecological Processes

Thus, a practical solution should take into account users' preferences.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Some authors argue that there is a lack on research on patient preferences, which is considered a practical barrier [ 50, 51].

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing decisions, use "a practical preference" to indicate that the choice is based on usefulness and efficiency rather than aesthetics or theory.

Common error

Avoid using "a practical preference" when other factors, such as ethical considerations or long-term consequences, are more important than immediate practicality. Sometimes, the most practical choice in the short term can have negative repercussions later.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a practical preference" functions as a noun phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a bias or inclination towards something based on its practicality and usefulness. Ludwig AI shows that it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a practical preference" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a choice based on utility and functionality. While relatively rare, according to Ludwig AI it is correct and readily understandable in both formal and informal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that practicality is indeed the primary consideration and consider alternatives like "a pragmatic choice" or "a sensible inclination" to best fit the intended meaning. Its strength lies in its ability to convey rational decision-making rooted in real-world application. Some notable sources that employ the expression are The New York Times, The New Yorker and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pragmatic choice

Focuses on the sensible and realistic nature of the selection, emphasizing practicality.

a sensible inclination

Highlights the reasonable and sound judgment behind the preference.

a realistic leaning

Emphasizes the preference's groundedness in reality and feasibility.

a functional bias

Focuses on the preference being driven by utility and purpose.

an expedient option

Highlights the convenience and effectiveness of the choice.

a utilitarian selection

Stresses the practicality and usefulness of the chosen option.

a hands-on advantage

Emphasizes the practical, tangible benefits of the preferred choice.

a no-nonsense predilection

Conveys a straightforward and efficient approach to preference.

a working alternative

Suggests a preference for something that is not only effective but also functional and suitable for use.

a down-to-earth desire

Highlights the simple and practical nature of the preference, avoiding unnecessary complications.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a practical preference" in a sentence?

Use "a practical preference" to denote a choice or leaning towards something based on its utility or feasibility. For example, "When choosing a car, I have "a practical preference" for models with good fuel economy and reliable safety features".

What are some alternatives to saying "a practical preference"?

Alternatives include "a pragmatic choice", "a sensible inclination", or "a realistic leaning", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it more appropriate to say "sensible choice" over "a practical preference"?

"Sensible choice" emphasizes the wisdom and good judgment behind a decision, while "a practical preference" highlights the usefulness and efficiency of the choice. Use "sensible choice" when you want to stress the reasonableness of the decision.

How does "a practical preference" differ from "a personal preference"?

"A personal preference" is based on individual taste or subjective criteria, whereas "a practical preference" is rooted in objective factors like utility, cost-effectiveness, or efficiency. One is about what you like; the other is about what works best.