favorite all time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "favorite all time" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing a preference for something that has consistently been your favorite throughout your life. Example: "My favorite all time movie is The Shawshank Redemption." Alternative expressions include "all-time favorite" and "favorite of all time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

As published in my blog These HeRecently.

Huffington Post

This is my favorite all time science fiction book by a long stretch.

TechCrunch

It is hands down one of my favorite all time places to visit.

HuffPost

More Calls I asked on Facebook, at "Len Berman's Top 5," what were your favorite all time sportscasting calls?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

My favorite all-time show?

University of California, Berkeley

My second favorite all-time show?

University of California, Berkeley

For the fourth and final video about magical moments in music, I have chosen one of my favorite all-time moments from one of my favorite all-time pieces: Stravinsky's "Symphony of Psalms".

The New York Times

Kevin Towers, the Padres' general manager, told The Associated Press that Caminiti "was one of my favorite all-time players".

The New York Times - Sports

"He's one of my favorite all-time players to coach because of his work ethic, and now he's got the No. 1 team in country.

The New York Times - Sports

Here is a sampling of those comments: I'm a gadget guy and my favorite all-time accessory for my iPhone is the Soaripod.

The New York Times

In between discussing his rehearsal schedule and his favorite all-time skit, however, Manning did take time to address the suspensions handed down by N.F.L. Commissioner Roger Goodell, who disciplined four players for their involvement in the New Orleans Saints' bounty program.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "favorite all time", consider whether the more standard "all-time favorite" might be clearer and more readily understood by your audience. While grammatically sound, the unhyphenated version is less common.

Common error

Avoid using "favorite all time" as a compound adjective without a hyphen when it modifies a noun. Instead, use the form "all-time favorite" before the noun, as in "all-time favorite movie."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "favorite all time" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, expressing a strong, enduring preference. This is similar to the examples Ludwig provides, though the more common form is "all-time favorite". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "favorite all time" is a grammatically sound but less common way to express a lasting preference. Ludwig indicates the phrase is usable in written English but suggests "all-time favorite" as a more standard alternative. While contexts range from news and media to academia, the expression is relatively rare. Remember to consider audience expectations and clarity when choosing between "favorite all time" and its more conventional counterpart. The AI also showed that "favorite of all time" is an acceptable alternative that emphasizes the comparison across all time periods.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

All-time favorite

This alternative is more common and grammatically standard, using a hyphenated compound adjective before the noun.

Favorite of all time

This option reorders the words, shifting the emphasis slightly and often used for comparison.

My personal favorite

This emphasizes the subjective nature of the preference, highlighting that it is specific to the speaker.

My top choice ever

This phrase uses simpler language to convey the idea of a best selection from the past.

Best ever

A concise and informal way to express the highest preference.

All-time best

Similar to "all-time favorite", but emphasizes quality or skill.

Forever a favorite

This emphasizes the lasting quality of the preference.

Always my favorite

Highlights the consistency of the preference over time.

Preferred above all

A more formal and emphatic way to indicate a top preference.

Consistently my favorite

This highlights the unchanging nature of the speaker's preference.

FAQs

How can I use "favorite all time" in a sentence?

You can use "favorite all time" to describe something you strongly prefer over a long period. For example, "That song is a favorite all time of mine."

Is it correct to say "favorite all time" or should I use "all-time favorite"?

While "favorite all time" is grammatically understandable, "all-time favorite" is more conventional and widely accepted. It functions as a compound adjective.

What's the difference between "favorite all time" and "favorite of all time"?

"Favorite all time" directly links the preference with a period, whereas "favorite of all time" uses "of" to connect the preference to the concept of all time. The latter emphasizes the comparison across all time periods.

What are some alternative ways to express a lasting preference, similar to "favorite all time"?

Alternatives include "all-time favorite", "best ever", or "forever a favorite", each conveying a strong and enduring preference.