favorite things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "favorite things" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to things that someone likes or enjoys the most. Example: My favorite things to do on a lazy Sunday afternoon are reading a book and baking cookies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then, seamlessly, "My Favorite Things".

The New York Times - Food

All of my favorite things.

The Washington Post

And it's one of my favorite things.

The New York Times

"Those are two of my favorite things.

The New Yorker

"That was one of my favorite things".

The New York Times

This is one of my favorite things.

The New Yorker

"It was one of her favorite things".

The New York Times - Magazine

John Coltrane, "My Favorite Things" (Atlantic, 1960).

The New Yorker

Some of Tyler Brûlé's favorite things.

The New York Times

To talk about his favorite things.

The Washington Post

One of her favorite things is even older than her.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When listing your "favorite things", be specific and descriptive to help your audience understand your preferences better. For example, instead of saying "books", specify genres or authors you enjoy.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple sentences or paragraphs with "My favorite things are..." Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement. For example, you could say "I particularly enjoy..." or "What brings me the most joy is..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "favorite things" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is commonly used to express personal preferences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

27%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "favorite things" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to express personal preferences. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is used to directly convey what one likes or enjoys the most. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, its register is generally informal. When using this phrase, specificity and varied sentence structure can enhance clarity and reader engagement. Alternatives like "things I adore" or "what I love most" can provide variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what I love most

A more direct and simple way to express the things one enjoys the most.

things closest to my heart

Indicates a deep emotional connection to the things one likes.

things I adore

Replaces "favorite" with "adore" indicating a strong liking.

things that bring me joy

Focuses on the emotional impact of the things one likes.

items I cherish

Uses "cherish" to emphasize the emotional value attached to the items.

things I appreciate

Highlights a sense of gratitude and value towards certain things.

things I'm passionate about

Highlights a strong enthusiasm or interest in certain things.

my treasured possessions

Emphasizes the personal value and importance of the items.

my preferred items

A more formal and neutral way of expressing preferences.

what I can't live without

Implies that these things are essential and highly valued.

FAQs

How can I use "favorite things" in a sentence?

You can use "favorite things" in a variety of ways. For example, "One of my favorite things is spending time outdoors", or "Let's talk about our favorite things to get to know each other better."

What's a more creative way to list my "favorite things"?

Instead of a simple list, try describing a scenario where you enjoy those things. For example, instead of saying "My favorite things are books and coffee", say "There's nothing I love more than curling up with a good book and a hot cup of coffee."

What can I say instead of "These are my favorite things"?

You can use alternatives like "These are the "things I adore"", "These are the "items I cherish"", or "These are "what I love most" depending on the context."

Is it okay to use "favorite things" in a formal setting?

While "favorite things" is generally considered informal, it can be used in a formal setting if the context is appropriate. For example, in a presentation about personal interests, it would be acceptable.