a preferential option

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a preferential option" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in discussions about social justice, ethics, or moral theology, often referring to a choice that favors the marginalized or disadvantaged. Example: "The organization advocates for a preferential option for the poor in its policies and programs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"He always, always has a preferential option for the poor".

The New York Times

In Scotland, they echoed many of ours – a love of diversity and a preferential option for those fleeing persecution.

The Guardian - Opinion

They were particularly taken with the Peruvian philosopher and priest Gustavo Gutiérrez's conception of a "preferential option for the poor".

The New Yorker

Liberation theology has its roots in Latin America and understands Christianity to operate with a "preferential option for the poor".

The Guardian

There, officials agreed that the church should give a "preferential option for the poor," a tenet of Francis' pontificate.

The New York Times

The results indicate that this universal photocatalyst is a preferential option for photocatalytic degradation of various environmental contaminants.

Catalysis Today

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Note that if a decision maker selects an option with the greatest overall value or utility (presumably determined by the certainty equivalent method) in a preferential choice, the judgment-based and preferential tasks should employ the same decision-making process and, presumably, require the same amount of time.

Plosone

His adoption of a Franciscan-style "preferential option for the poor" badly disrupted his family's nightly table, seating every stray member of the walking wounded from Edinburgh's unforgiving streets.

Independent

It is impossible to justify this as a serious exercise of the preferential option for the poor.

The Guardian - Opinion

Liberation theology, developed by priests like Gutiérrez, of Peru, and Leonardo Boff, of Brazil, held up Jesus Christ as a critic of unjust social and economic structures and articulated a Gospel mandate for "the preferential option for the poor".

The New Yorker

The Vatican opposed it, fearing that Marxists were using liberation theology's "preferential option for the poor" as a call for armed revolution against oppressive rightwing regimes that were in power in much of Latin America in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing social justice or ethical considerations, use "a preferential option" to emphasize prioritizing the needs of marginalized groups.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a preferential option" as an absolute mandate that disregards other valid considerations; ensure it is balanced with fairness and practicality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preferential option" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it indicates a deliberate choice or policy that favors a particular group, typically the disadvantaged.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

29%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a preferential option" is a noun phrase commonly employed in discussions of social justice and ethics. Ludwig shows it denotes a deliberate choice that prioritizes the needs of specific groups, often the disadvantaged. The phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While its usage should be balanced with fairness, it serves as a powerful tool for advocating equity. Ludwig AI analysis confirms the expression is usable in written English and is often used to describe concepts within social justice, ethics or moral theology.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a favored alternative

Replaces "option" with "alternative", slightly altering the focus to a different choice.

a chosen preference

Emphasizes the act of choosing and the subjective nature of the preference.

a selected priority

Highlights the prioritization aspect of the option, suggesting it's chosen over others.

a desirable selection

Focuses on the desirability of the selection, indicating a positive attribute.

a favored selection

Similar to "a desirable selection", but more directly implies a person or group's favor.

a preferred selection

Synonymous with "a chosen preference" but highlights that a selection is more liked than other options.

a prime alternative

Indicates that a particular alternative is most suitable.

a superior preference

Implies the chosen option is considered of greater quality or effectiveness.

a recommended alternative

Highlights the endorsement or advice associated with the choice.

an advised option

Highlights the endorsement or advice associated with the choice and sounds a little bit more formal.

FAQs

How is "a preferential option" typically used in discussions?

It's often employed in discourses about social justice, ethics, or moral theology, indicating a choice that favors the marginalized or disadvantaged.

What phrases can I use instead of "a preferential option"?

You might use phrases like "a favored alternative", "a chosen preference", or "a selected priority" depending on the context.

Is "a preferential option" commonly used in academic writing?

Yes, Ludwig shows it appears across various academic fields, especially in discussions related to ethics, theology, and social studies.

What's the difference between "a preferential option" and "a priority option"?

"A preferential option" specifically suggests favoring a particular group or outcome, often related to justice or ethics, whereas "a priority option" simply indicates something that is given precedence.