be popular with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be popular with" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to be well-liked or admired by others. Example: 1. "The new restaurant in town is very popular with the locals." 2. "John's charismatic personality makes him popular with everyone he meets." 3. "The fashion brand's latest collection is not as popular with consumers as their previous ones." 4. "She always tries to be popular with her classmates by being kind and helpful." 5. "The movie was not very popular with critics, but it was a hit with audiences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He will be popular with the staff".

The Guardian

I seem to be popular with women.

The Guardian

The courses seem to be popular with entrepreneurs.

The Economist

They continue to be popular with modern readers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A clean-up would be popular with middle-class voters.

The Economist

Sensible reforms are likely to be popular with the voters.

The Economist

"That should be popular with the Guardian's neighbors".

The Guardian

Job security will probably be popular with that carrier's unions.

The New York Times

That might not be popular with ambitious chief executives.

The New York Times

But they will, I guess, be popular with the police.

The Guardian - Opinion

His appointment would be popular with the players.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional writing, pair the phrase with specific data or reasons why the subject is liked to add depth to your sentence.

Common error

Avoid using 'popular for' when you intend to describe the people who like the subject. Use "be popular with" for the audience (e.g. 'popular with kids') and reserve 'popular for' to describe a specific characteristic (e.g. 'popular for its speed').

How to use

Learn how to use "be popular with" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be popular with" functions as an adjective phrase that acts as a subject complement. It consists of the copular verb 'be', the adjective 'popular', and the preposition 'with'. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a standard way to express widespread approval within a defined group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "be popular with" is a highly reliable and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the positive reception of a subject by a specific group. According to Ludwig AI and the extensive examples provided, it is a staple of journalistic and professional writing. It effectively bridges the gap between a subject and its audience, offering more specificity than saying something is simply 'popular'. Whether you are writing a business report or a news article, using this phrase ensures clarity regarding who exactly finds your subject favorable. For a more sophisticated tone, consider alternatives like "find favor with", or "resonate with" for deeper emotional impacts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appeal to

focuses more on the quality of the subject that attracts the audience

be well-received by

emphasizes the reaction or response from a specific group

be favored by

uses a passive construction that sounds more clinical or data-driven

find favor with

a more formal and slightly more idiomatic alternative

resonate with

implies a deeper, more emotional or intellectual connection

be a hit with

adds a more informal and enthusiastic tone to the sentiment

gain traction with

suggests growing or increasing popularity over time

be in demand by

focuses on the necessity or strong desire of the audience

catch on with

implies that the subject is becoming a trend within the group

win over

implies the process of convincing a group to like the subject

FAQs

How do I use "be popular with" in a sentence?

You can use it to link a subject to its admirers. For example: "The new software is likely to "be popular with" developers due to its open-source nature."

Is it "popular with" or "popular among"?

Both are correct, but they have slight nuances. "be popular with" often implies an external group's preference, while "popular among" often suggests popularity within a specific community or circle.

What is a more formal way to say "be popular with"?

In formal or academic contexts, you might choose to use "find favor with" or "be well-received by".

Can I say "popular to" instead?

No, "popular to" is usually grammatically incorrect when describing who likes something. You should use "be popular with" or "appeal to" instead.