favored

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "favored" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used as an adjective (favored by, favored for) and can be used to refer to someone or something that has been given more preference than others. Example sentence: The committee favored the candidate with the strongest background in civil engineering.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Summers pointed to the example of Sweden, which was regularly cited by economists who favored nationalization.

The Economist

Meanwhile Robert's casting his eye over a battle weary San Jose squad: The San Jose Earthquakes almost made history this week in the CONCACAF Champions League, coming a missed penalty kick from Shea Salinas away from knocking off heavily favored Deportiva Toluca FC and becoming the first MLS club to ever win a two-leg series on Mexican soil.

The Guardian - Sport

But it had become evident in recent months the MLS preferred a soccer-specific outdoor stadium, which favored McGuire's pitch.

The Guardian - Sport

The watch is a rallying point for Apple lovers: 72% of purchasers had bought an Apple product in the past two years (though some of that probably has to do with the device's iPhone requirement), and majority opinion favored both the larger of the two case sizes and the Apple Watch Sport, as opposed to the pricier Apple Watch proper or the much, much pricier Apple Watch Edition.

The Guardian - Tech

The self-described "democratic socialist" enters the race as a robust liberal alternative to Hillary Clinton and pledged to do more than simply raise progressive issues or nudge the former secretary of state to the left in a campaign in which she is heavily favored.

The Guardian

The GOP holds all of the key statewide offices, and Sen. George Voinovich (R) is strongly favored to win a second term in November, while Democrats control the big cities.

The Economist

Several factors favored Mr Vázquez in this election.

The Economist

In the hallways of the New York headquarters, English is (naturally) favored, and French is preferred in Geneva.

The Economist

They might use their political power to thwart policies favored by majorities of Americans perhaps opposing progressive taxation, regulation of the financial system, or spending programs that favor low- and middle-income citizens.

The Economist

A majority favored the first approach.The subject here is the Fed's $400 billion in "Operation Twist" purchases sales of short-term debt and purchases of long-term debt made in order to flatten the yield curve.

The Economist

Like this:Either Republican Danny Tarkanian or Sue Lowden would knock out Mr Reid in a general election, according to a recent poll of Nevada voters... Nevadans favored Mr Tarkanian over Mr Reid 49 percent to 38 percent and Mrs Lowden over Reid 45 percent to 40 percent.Mr Reid's troubles come after months of carefully boxing potential Republican opponents out of the race.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "favored", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the favoring. For instance, "The policy favored small businesses" clarifies the beneficiary of the preference.

Common error

Avoid using "favored" in passive constructions without specifying the subject doing the favoring. A sentence like "It was favored" is vague; instead, specify who or what did the favoring: "The proposal was favored by the committee."

Linguistic Context

The term "favored" primarily functions as a past participle adjective, describing something that has received preference or advantage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a state of being preferred, supported, or given special consideration. Examples show it modifying nouns to specify a preferred status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "favored" is a versatile past participle adjective that indicates preference or advantage. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. Its frequent appearance in news and media, coupled with its presence in scientific and business writing, highlights its broad applicability. When using "favored", ensure the context clearly identifies the subject that is doing the favoring to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like ""preferred"" or "supported" can provide similar meaning with slightly different connotations. Ultimately, "favored" is a reliable term for expressing preference and advantage in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in favor of

Expresses a preference for one thing over another.

preferred

Indicates a stronger sense of personal choice or inclination.

advantaged

Focuses on the benefit or advantage received.

supported

Highlights active backing or endorsement.

backed

Emphasizes strong support, often in a competitive context.

championed

Suggests advocating for something or someone.

promoted

Focuses on raising the status or visibility of something.

endorsed

Indicates formal approval or support.

selected

Highlights the act of choosing one option over others.

partial to

Implies a liking or fondness for something.

FAQs

How to use "favored" in a sentence?

Use "favored" to indicate a preference or advantage given to someone or something. For example: "The coach "preferred" the more experienced players" or "The new regulations "advantaged" larger corporations".

What can I say instead of "favored"?

You can use alternatives like ""preferred"", "supported", or "in favor of" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "favored" or "favorite"?

"Favored" (past tense of favor) means preferred or liked more than others. "Favorite" is an adjective or noun describing something particularly liked. Example: "He "preferred" the "favored" candidate." versus "That's his "best-loved" restaurant".

What's the difference between "favored" and "advantaged"?

"Favored" implies a preferential treatment or liking. "Advantaged" means having an advantage or benefit. "Favored" indicates a choice, while "advantaged" indicates a beneficial outcome. Example: "The new policies "preferred" businesses in the local area," leading to them being "advantaged".