almost preferable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost preferable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two options, suggesting that one option is nearly better than the other, but not quite. Example: "While both choices have their merits, option A is almost preferable due to its lower cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

What the policeman says is very nearly true: life in Zimbabwe these days is so hard, and sometimes so terrifying, that the passengers say death is almost preferable to returning to hunger, oppression, disease and hopelessness.

The New York Times

If you're roasting a chicken this weekend, I'd highly recommend ensuring you have enough leftovers to make TwinnyDip's soba noodles with chicken in a cashew sesame dressing – almost preferable to the main event, and just what's needed on a dank September day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

However, the most preferable style of many solitaire engagement rings is classic, what make rings almost persistent to time, so it can be inherited by many more generations and raise its value in the future.

WikiHow

Blix appeared to share the more or less consensual U.N. view that continued discussion is almost automatically preferable to fighting -- a view in which the belief in peace and the belief in process converge and war is always failure.

The New York Times - Magazine

The snow-covered bike obviously references him, and is almost certainly preferable to the results of an hour spent with a photographer vainly trying to get him to project bonhomie.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As such, it's almost always preferable to smother a target and stuff their sleeping body into a dustbin, rather than break their neck and add to the rot and plague.

The Guardian - Tech

When applied to video, which some would argue is social by nature, recommendations from those we know and trust is almost always preferable.

TechCrunch

It is almost always preferable over "hired guns" that can help you execute on the vision but seldom understand it as well and are often too pragmatic.

TechCrunch

In fact, it would almost be preferable to see Kifi baked into Twitter itself, improving Twitter's own search functionality by giving it a way to better retrieve the links users tweet by better understanding the content they contain.

TechCrunch

Love is certainly something you can talk about — though shouting is never advisable — but taking the time to act lovingly is almost always preferable.

Huffington Post

While it would almost be preferable to learn that Michael Hastings simply did die because of a horrible accident, the timing of his email and the freak nature of his car accident certainly have caused a perfect storm for conspiracy.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost preferable" when you want to express a slight preference, without fully committing to a stronger statement. This can be useful when discussing subjective topics or situations with nuanced advantages and disadvantages.

Common error

Avoid using "almost preferable" when a clear preference exists. Overusing it can dilute your point and make you appear indecisive. If one option is significantly better, state it directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost preferable" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. It describes a state of near-preference, indicating that something is close to being the better choice but not definitively so. Ludwig's examples illustrate this use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost preferable" is a useful tool for expressing a slight or tentative preference. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears in various contexts, mainly in News & Media, Wiki and Science sources. While it's important to avoid overstating your preference and diluting your point, using this phrase correctly will add sophistication to your writing and shows that you can appreciate both points of view. When looking for similar phrases, consider options such as "nearly preferable", "slightly more desirable", or "marginally preferable".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly preferable

This alternative simply replaces "almost" with its synonym "nearly", resulting in minimal change of meaning or intensity.

practically preferable

This changes "almost" to "practically", implying a slightly stronger leaning towards preference but still not absolute.

virtually preferable

Using "virtually" suggests that the preference is so close that it is almost as good as being definitively preferable.

tantamount to preferable

This alternative implies an equivalence in effect or value to being preferable, rather than a near-preference.

close to ideal

Shifts the focus from preference to the concept of ideal, indicating that the option is very close to being the best possible choice.

bordering on preferable

This phrase suggests that the option is approaching the state of being preferable, but not quite there yet.

just about preferable

Adding "just about" emphasizes the narrow margin by which something is preferred.

marginally preferable

Using "marginally" explicitly states that the preference is slight.

slightly more desirable

Changes the phrase to express a greater degree of desire instead of preference, but keeps the minimal margin of advantage.

not far from being preferable

This longer phrase emphasizes the proximity to being preferable without actually reaching that state.

FAQs

How can I use "almost preferable" in a sentence?

Use "almost preferable" to express a slight inclination toward one option over another. For example: "While both cars are good, the hybrid is "almost preferable" due to its fuel efficiency."

What's a good alternative to "almost preferable"?

Alternatives include "nearly preferable", "slightly more desirable", or "marginally preferable", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "almost preferred" instead of "almost preferable"?

While "preferred" can be used to express a preference, "almost preferable" is typically used to compare options and indicate a slight advantage of one over the other. "Almost preferred" is less common and may sound awkward in some contexts.

When should I not use the phrase "almost preferable"?

Avoid using "almost preferable" when there's a clear, significant difference between options. It's best suited for situations where the choice is nuanced and the preference is slight. It's also best to avoid when stating scientific findings.