are not to my liking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not to my liking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express personal preferences or dislikes regarding something, such as food, clothing, or opinions. Example: "The colors of the new design are not to my liking, and I would prefer a more muted palette."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Neither will he ever sack it, dogs shall devour him ere he do so". Hector looked fiercely at him and answered, "Polydamas, your words are not to my liking in that you bid us go back and be pent within the city.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Being of an age where I would be entitled to a bus pass (if I were in the UK that is rather than the USA where they do squat for seniors so no bus pass) I have no hesitation about creating a scene with all the young idiots around me if things are not to my liking.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Oh and who's to blame when the AI's choices not only aren't to my liking but are much worse?

TechCrunch

"The post positions aren't to my liking, but there's nothing I can do about it," Baffert said.

Los Angeles Times

"It is not to my liking, per se," he said.

The New Yorker

"We got around it, but it was not to my liking".

The New York Times

A bluetooth "Wedge Mouse" came in handy, as the touchpad on the keyboard was not to my liking – not least for the inability to turn off the tap-as-mouse-click functionality.

The Guardian - Tech

Prayer for Strength Guide me, O thou great Redeemer, Pilgrim through this barren land, For this bill or nominee or compromise budget is not to my liking, And I see no personal political advantage in its advancement.

The New Yorker

That's not to my liking.

BBC

As an Android purist, Samsung's extensive customisation of Android is not to my liking but you will find several features which - for launch at least - will be exclusive to the Galaxy S8 over the Galaxy S7.

Forbes

"But in the event that he resigns and a new leader is elected, and it's not to my liking," he warns me, "I will leave the Labour party".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are not to my liking" to politely express disapproval or a lack of enthusiasm for something, especially when you want to avoid being overly critical.

Common error

Avoid using "are not to my liking" in highly formal or technical contexts. Opt for more direct and professional language to ensure clarity and avoid sounding vague.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not to my liking" functions as a subjective expression of personal preference. As Ludwig AI confirms, it communicates a lack of enthusiasm or approval. Examples across different sources demonstrate its use in conveying dissatisfaction in various contexts, from design choices to proposed solutions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are not to my liking" serves as a polite way to express a lack of personal preference or approval. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and can be used in various contexts. While it appears most frequently in news and media, it maintains a generally neutral register, making it suitable for expressing subjective opinions without being overly critical. Alternatives like "do not appeal to me" or "are not to my taste" can provide similar sentiments while adjusting the level of formality. Keep in mind that while this phrase is often acceptable, in official contexts is better to use a more professional and direct language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are not to my taste

Replaces "liking" with "taste", implying a preference in aesthetics or style.

are not my preference

Directly states a lack of preference.

do not appeal to me

Changes the wording to focus on the lack of appeal rather than direct dislike.

do not suit my preferences

More formal; emphasizes alignment with personal preferences.

do not sit well with me

Indicates a sense of unease or discomfort with something.

are not up to my standards

Highlights the subject's failure to meet a certain level of quality or acceptability.

do not meet my expectations

Focuses on unmet expectations, suggesting a standard not reached.

are not what I'm looking for

Implies a search for something specific that the subject doesn't fulfill.

don't do it for me

More casual expression of indifference or lack of enthusiasm.

leave me wanting

Suggests a sense of incompleteness or dissatisfaction.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "is not to my liking"?

It means that something doesn't align with your personal preferences, tastes, or expectations. It's a polite way of expressing that you don't approve of or enjoy something.

How can I use "are not to my liking" in a sentence?

You can say, "The new design proposals "are not to my liking", I would prefer something more modern", or "While I appreciate the effort, the current solution "is not to my liking"".

What can I say instead of "are not to my liking"?

You can use alternatives like "do not appeal to me", "are not to my taste", or "are not my preference" depending on the context.

Is "are not to my liking" formal or informal?

"Are not to my liking" is generally considered neutral in formality. It's suitable for everyday conversations and writings, but might not be the best choice for highly formal or technical contexts.