a significant preference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant preference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a strong inclination or choice for one option over another in various contexts, such as surveys, studies, or personal opinions. Example: "In the survey results, there was a significant preference for online shopping over traditional retail."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Consulting a practice nurse was the next preferred action for both symptoms and there was a significant preference not to use self-care.

British Journal of General Practice

showed a significant preference for compartment paired with morphine.

Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior

There was a significant preference towards the comfort and applicability of the prototypes (p<0.01).

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics

For the questionnaire results overall, there was a significant preference for the TEMPO+.

International Congress Series

These same females, when treated with saline, demonstrated a significant preference for males singing normal song.

Behavioural Processes

Subjects displayed a significant preference for the variable option in all baseline conditions.

Animal Behaviour

Paired Student's t-test analysis indicated a significant preference for paired vs. non-paired flavored chow for both SDV (p = 0.014) and sham (p = 0.014) groups.

Nature

After correcting for distance, dances demonstrate that honeybees possess a significant preference for rural land managed under UK Higher Level AESs and a significant preference against rural land under UK Organic Entry Level AESs.

Current Biology

We find that farmers have a significant preference for an eco-label and would accept lower payments in exchange.

Land Use Policy

Conformational tendency measures of the peptides indicate a significant preference for inserts favoring a β-turn conformation.

Journal of Molecular Biology

The results of this second phase revealed a significant preference for objects designed with a CAD system.

Interacting with Computers

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Quantify the preference whenever possible. Instead of just stating there's "a significant preference", consider adding data or evidence to support this claim, such as percentages or statistical significance.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant preference" without providing concrete data or reasoning to support the claim. Overusing the phrase without proper justification weakens its impact and credibility. Use precise language and provide specific examples to illustrate the preference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant preference" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It indicates that there is a notable inclination or choice towards something. Ludwig examples show its wide applicability in research and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant preference" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to denote a strong inclination or choice. It is most commonly found in scientific and academic contexts, reflecting a formal and precise tone. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase's high frequency and broad applicability make it a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit. When using this phrase, remember to provide supporting evidence to strengthen your claims and maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strong inclination

Replaces "preference" with "inclination" and "significant" with "strong", emphasizing a leaning towards something.

a substantial inclination

Uses "substantial" instead of "significant", suggesting a considerable degree of leaning.

a major inclination

Uses "major" instead of "significant", suggesting a great degree of leaning.

a notable predilection

Substitutes "preference" with the more formal "predilection" and "significant" with "notable", indicating a marked liking.

a clear leaning

Implies a definite direction or inclination, simplifying the original phrase.

a marked tendency

Replaces the entire phrase indicating a clear pattern or leaning in one direction.

a definite penchant

Replaces preference with penchant indicating a strong liking or attraction.

a considerable bias

Suggests a disproportionate weighting towards one option, implying potential unfairness.

a noticeable liking

Replaces preference with liking suggesting something is enjoyable

a decided favoritism

Emphasizes the active choice of one thing over another, often implying unfairness.

FAQs

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

Use "a significant preference" when you want to emphasize that one option is considerably favored over others. For instance, "The data showed "a significant preference" for hybrid work models among employees".

What are some alternatives to "a significant preference"?

You can use alternatives like "a strong inclination", "a notable predilection", or "a marked tendency" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

Is it appropriate to use "a significant preference" in formal writing?

Yes, "a significant preference" is suitable for formal writing, especially in research papers or reports, because it clearly communicates a notable inclination or choice. However, ensure it's backed by evidence or data.

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

"A significant preference" indicates a considerable difference in favor, whereas "a slight preference" suggests a small or marginal difference. The choice depends on the degree to which one option is favored over others.