favor

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'favor' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb meaning to help someone or grant them a request, as a noun meaning a kind act or a request for someone to grant a kindness, or as an adjective meaning well-liked or preferred. Example: Mary did me a great favor by helping me move all my furniture.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is essentially clear that the four more liberal members of the Court will vote in favor of the mandate.

The New York Times

First-round opponent: [10] Andrea Petkovic (GER) Let's reiterate, with 17 women in the women's singles draw, all but three unseeded, there was a pretty good chance fortune wasn't going to favor most of them.

The Guardian - Sport

Yellen's studied, academic, consensus-friendly approach is also another plus in her favor – particularly in comparison to Larry Summers, her bright but brash rival for the job.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many of those allies have Obama's ear, and they are bending it in favor of Summers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Read more stories like this: Abolish GDP in favor of a genuine progress indicator Rethinking prosperity: what is true wealth?

The Guardian

While some gay-rights supporters praised Thursday's vote by the Boy Scouts of America in favor of formally accepting openly gay scouts, others were disappointed in the group's decision to continue to block gay scout leaders.

The Guardian

But House leaders from both parties strongly favor the USA Freedom Act option and do not believe there are enough votes to reauthorize the Patriot Act even if it is the only option on the table.

The Guardian

I have no idea how much any of this will matter, but the theatrics are overwhelmingly in Biden's favor, unless it's too confrontational for those watching.

The Guardian

As for the other justices, their questioning suggests that Breyer, Ginsburg, Kagan and Sotomayor will likely favor the law, and Scalia will very likely to strike down the mandate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Independent voters, however, are even less enthusiastic about mass domestic surveillance: 71% want the Patriot Act modified, versus 22% who favor keeping it as it is, which pollster Greg Strimple called "intense".

The Guardian

"It's fair to say that if you look across the country, the deck is still stacked in favor of those already at the top," she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "favor" as a verb, ensure clarity by specifying the recipient of the action. For example, instead of saying 'The company favors innovation', specify 'The company favors employees who demonstrate innovation'.

Common error

Be aware that "favor" can sometimes imply bias or unfair advantage. Ensure your usage doesn't unintentionally suggest preferential treatment where impartiality is expected. For example, saying 'The judge favored the defendant' could be misconstrued if there's no evidence of actual bias.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "favor" is as both a noun, denoting an act of kindness or a preference, and a verb, meaning to prefer or support. This dual functionality is evident in the Ludwig examples, which showcase the word's versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "favor" is a versatile term functioning as both a noun and a verb, commonly used to express kindness, preference, or support. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across varied contexts, notably in news, business, and general discourse. When employing "favor", consider its potential connotations of bias, and ensure the context clearly indicates the intended meaning. Remember to select the appropriate spelling ("favor" in American English, "favour" in British English) for your target audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lend assistance

Stresses the act of providing help or support, particularly in a time of need or difficulty.

do a service

Emphasizes the act of providing assistance or help, often implying a sense of duty or obligation.

oblige

Highlights the action of doing something as a favor or service.

grant a request

Highlights the act of fulfilling a specific request or wish made by someone.

be partial to

Emphasizes a personal inclination or fondness towards something.

show preference

Focuses on the act of indicating a liking or inclination towards something or someone over others.

give an edge to

Highlights the act of providing a competitive advantage or benefit.

bestow a kindness

Highlights the act of giving something valuable or appreciated.

be advantageous to

Focuses on how something benefits someone or something.

promote the interests of

Focuses on actively supporting and advancing someone's or something's goals or well-being.

FAQs

How can I use "favor" in a sentence?

You can use "favor" as a noun to mean a kind act, as in "He asked me for a "favor"". As a verb, it means to prefer or support something, like "The company tends to "favor" innovative projects".

What's the difference between "favor" and "favour"?

"Favor" and "favour" are the same word, but "favor" is the American spelling, while "favour" is the British spelling. Use the spelling appropriate for your audience.

What can I say instead of "I'm in favor of"?

You can use alternatives like "I "support"", "I "approve of"", or "I "endorse"" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "do me a favor" or "do me a favour"?

Both are correct, depending on the spelling convention you're using. "Do me a favor" is American English, and "do me a favour" is British English.