be preferable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be preferable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate a preference for one thing over another. For example: "Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is preferable to eating processed and packaged snacks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Why shouldn't this be preferable to war?

The New York Times

And at this moment, surreality may be preferable to reality.

The New York Times

Any other military authority would be preferable to us.

The New York Times

Or would that be preferable to the current set-up?

The Guardian - Sport

Effective action by Yemen's government would be preferable to American combat missions on the Arabian Peninsula.

The New York Times

All in all, looking at the alternatives, starting negotiations should be preferable to starting wars.

The New York Times

For some, the virtual community may at times be preferable to the real world.

The New York Times - Tech

This option may be preferable to Neverland, because Las Vegas is more easily accessible to tourists.

The New York Times

Yet our new Parliament's relatively unassuming style may be preferable to Ken Livingstone's grandstand plays.

The Guardian

A runoff would be preferable to a discredited first-round Karzai victory, Mr. Riedel said.

The New York Times

It would be preferable to make this outside board truly outside and credible".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be preferable to" when you want to express a clear preference based on specific criteria or benefits. Ensure the context clearly defines what makes one option more suitable than the other.

Common error

Avoid using "be preferable to" without providing a reason or context for the preference. Always clarify why one option is better to avoid ambiguity and strengthen your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be preferable to" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It indicates that one option or alternative is considered better, more suitable, or more desirable than another. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be preferable to" is a widely used and grammatically sound comparative phrase that expresses a preference for one thing over another. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is common across various domains, with a strong presence in news, media, and scientific publications. When writing, be mindful to provide clear justifications for the preference you are expressing to strengthen your argument. While alternatives like "be superior to" or "be better than" exist, "be preferable to" offers a nuanced way to suggest suitability or advantage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be better than

A more general and straightforward way to express preference.

be superior to

Emphasizes a higher level of quality or performance.

be more desirable than

Focuses on how the user wants one alternative more than the other.

be the better option

Points out how one alternative is the better option than the other.

be advantageous over

Stresses that the alternative gives the user an advantage.

outweigh

Highlights that the benefits exceed the drawbacks of something else.

be advisable over

Highlights that the alternative is recommended and makes a point about suggestion.

surpass

Indicates exceeding a certain limit or expectation.

exceed

Focuses on surpassing a specific measure or quantity.

be a cut above

A more informal way to emphasize the higher quality of something.

FAQs

How to use "be preferable to" in a sentence?

Use "be preferable to" to indicate that one option is more suitable or desirable than another. For example, "Starting negotiations should "be preferable to" starting wars."

What can I say instead of "be preferable to"?

You can use alternatives like "be superior to", "be better than", or "be more desirable than" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "more preferable to"?

No, "more preferable to" is redundant. "Preferable" already implies a comparison, so using "more" is unnecessary. Stick to ""be preferable to"".

What's the difference between "be preferable to" and "be preferred over"?

"Be preferable to" implies a stronger sense of suitability or advantage, while "be preferred over" simply means that one option is chosen more often. The former suggests a more objective reason for the choice.