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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
be strictly preferred.
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "be strictly preferred." is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is the most favored option or choice in a specific context. Example: "In this situation, option A should be strictly preferred over option B due to its efficiency."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Alternative expressions(4)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
This brings us to the Transitivity axiom, which says that if an option \(B\) is at least as preferable as \(A\), and \(C\) is at least as preferable as \(B\), then \(A\) cannot be strictly preferred to \(C\).
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
55 human-written examples
M ≺ M′ means that M is strictly preferred to M′.
Science
Making a proposal implies that the action associated to it is strictly preferred as its contrary.
Economically, the open access Nash equilibrium is inferior to the cooperative outcome for every agent: the latter is strictly preferred to the former by every agent.
Science
The decision classes are preference-ordered according to the decision maker, i.e. for all r, s∈ T such that for r> s the objects from class Y r are strictly preferred to the objects from class Y s.
We also write xPy if xRy and not yRx ('x is strictly socially preferred to y'), and xIy if xRy and yRx ('x and y are socially tied').
Science
Doping, for those who prefer their drug use to be strictly recreational, is "administering drugs to in order to inhibit or enhance sporting performance".
News & Media
Cellphones should be strictly forbidden.
News & Media
Be strictly informal.
Wiki
That is, either $i$ strictly prefers $x$ to $y$, or else $i$ is indifferent between them, finding them equally good.
Science
That is, whenever everyone strictly prefers one alternative to another, the social ordering that $f$ derives must agree.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "be strictly preferred" to clearly communicate that one option is considered superior and should be chosen over others, especially in decision-making contexts.
Common error
Avoid using "be strictly preferred" in casual conversation; it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "like better" or "prefer" in informal settings.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "be strictly preferred." functions as a predicate adjective indicating a state of preference. It highlights that one option or alternative is regarded as superior or more desirable compared to others. Ludwig confirms this usage, showing the phrase commonly used across various domains.
Frequent in
Science
40%
News & Media
35%
Formal & Business
15%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
5%
Wiki
3%
Reference
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "be strictly preferred." is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a definitive preference for one option over others. Ludwig's AI confirms its usability across various domains, particularly in science, news, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for formal or professional settings where a clear, reasoned preference needs to be articulated. For casual conversations, simpler alternatives like "like better" are often more appropriate. Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize that a choice is not just favored, but distinctly superior.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
be unequivocally preferred
Indicates that there is no doubt or question about the preference; it is absolute.
be absolutely preferred
Emphasizes the completeness and finality of the preference, leaving no room for alternatives.
be unquestionably preferred
Similar to unequivocally preferred but emphasizes that the preference is beyond dispute.
be distinctly preferred
Highlights the clarity and obviousness of the preference, making it stand out.
be decidedly preferred
Adds a sense of certainty or resolution to the preference, indicating a clear decision.
be substantially preferred
Focuses on the degree of preference, suggesting a significant difference in value or desirability.
be highly favored
Emphasizes strong positive regard, differing slightly in that it highlights favor rather than strict preference.
be preferentially treated
Shifts the focus to the action of giving preference rather than the state of being preferred.
be given priority
Highlights that something is given precedence or importance over other things.
take precedence
Implies a formal or established order in which one thing comes before another.
FAQs
How can I use "be strictly preferred" in a sentence?
You can use "be strictly preferred" to indicate a strong preference for one option over another. For example, "In this scenario, option A should "be strictly preferred." due to its higher efficiency".
What are some alternatives to "be strictly preferred"?
Alternatives include "be highly favored", "be decidedly preferred", or simply "be preferred", depending on the level of emphasis you want to convey.
When is it appropriate to use "be strictly preferred"?
It is appropriate in formal contexts, such as academic writing, business reports, or legal documents, where you need to clearly state that one option is superior to another. In casual conversations avoid it.
Is "be strictly preferred" the same as "be preferred"?
While both phrases indicate a preference, "be strictly preferred" implies a stronger, more definitive preference. It suggests that there is a clear and compelling reason why one option is better than the others.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested