be preferred to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be preferred to" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to express that one thing or person is chosen or favored over another. Example: In our company, hard work and dedication are preferred to natural talent.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Why should one be preferred to another?

The Guardian

Galeano's Cassandra is to be preferred to his Pollyanna.

The Guardian - Books

Broadly, spending cuts should be preferred to tax increases.

The Economist

Bold isn't always to be preferred to caution, or quick decisions to careful deliberation.

The New York Times

Well known sites, such as CNN, tend to be preferred to less popular sites.

The Guardian - Tech

Political contests are, almost invariably, to be preferred to political coronations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Furthermore, the life of action is to be preferred to ascetic resignation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Liverpool's manager insists his decision to buy Karius from Mainz does not guarantee he will be preferred to Mignolet.

The Guardian - Sport

He's bowling really well and, surely, should be preferred to Peterson when Imran Tahir returns to the side.

The Guardian - Sport

Stephen Kelly will play at right-back while Jon Walters is expected to be preferred to Simon Cox up front.

The Guardian - Sport

For this reason, Peter Garrett the singer is much to be preferred to Peter Garrett the politician.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When choosing between "be preferred to" and synonyms like "favored over", consider the nuance you want to convey. "Be preferred to" is generally neutral, while "favored over" can imply a degree of bias or partiality.

Common error

A common mistake is using "be preferred to" when the options being compared are not mutually exclusive. This phrase works best when selecting one option inherently means rejecting the other. If both can coexist, consider using "be preferred along with" or similar phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be preferred to" functions as a comparative expression, indicating that one option is favored or chosen over another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It highlights a selection based on certain criteria or personal inclination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be preferred to" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that indicates a preference or prioritization of one option over another. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is frequently found in academic, scientific, and news contexts. When using "be preferred to", ensure clarity by specifying the reasons for the preference. While alternatives such as "be favored over" exist, "be preferred to" maintains a neutral tone suitable for formal and objective writing. Avoid using it when the options being compared are not mutually exclusive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be favored over

Uses 'favored' instead of 'preferred', slightly changing the tone to suggest approval or advantage.

be chosen rather than

Replaces 'preferred' with 'chosen', emphasizing the act of selection between options.

be selected instead of

Similar to 'chosen rather than', but 'selected' implies a more deliberate and formal decision.

take precedence over

Shifts the focus to importance or priority, suggesting one thing is more crucial than another.

be given priority over

Similar to 'take precedence over', but more explicitly states that priority is being assigned.

be deemed superior to

Introduces a judgment of superiority, indicating one thing is considered better in quality or value.

be held in higher regard than

Focuses on the level of respect or esteem, suggesting one thing is more valued than another.

be valued more than

Directly compares the value of two things, stating that one is considered more important or useful.

outweigh

This single word provides the effect of "be preferred to" but in a more concise and direct manner.

be the better option compared to

Explicitly frames the comparison as a selection of the "better option".

FAQs

How can I use "be preferred to" in a sentence?

You can use "be preferred to" to indicate that one option is chosen or favored over another, such as "In this study, method A "is preferred to" method B because of its accuracy".

What are some alternatives to "be preferred to"?

Some alternatives to "be preferred to" include "be favored over", "be chosen rather than", or "take precedence over", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "is preferred to" or "is preferable to"?

Both "is preferred to" and "is preferable to" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Is preferred to" indicates a subjective choice or liking, while "is preferable to" suggests that something is objectively better or more suitable.

What's the difference between "be preferred to" and "have a preference for"?

"Be preferred to" directly compares two options, stating that one is favored over the other. "Have a preference for" indicates a general liking or inclination towards something, without necessarily comparing it to a specific alternative.