favour to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "favour to" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not commonly used and may lead to confusion; instead, consider using it in contexts where you are offering assistance or support to someone. Example: "I would like to do you a favour to help with your project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That seemed like a point in Dubai's favour to me.

The Guardian - Travel

So now, commenters, I have a favour to ask.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But they depend too much on the Kremlin's favour to say so publicly.

The Economist

For example, names state that deities "show favour" to or "love" a child or its parents.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Disasters represented punishment for sins; prosperity indicated divine favour to faithful humans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cynics see that as a favour to Occidental Petroleum, an American firm that uses it.

The Economist

Comparing his track record at confirmation to Sotomayor's is a favour to Mrs Sotomayor.

The Economist

Each applicant will need a qualified majority in favour to get in.

The Economist

That's the direction of travel I favour – to make public service broadcasting better, by modernising it.

The Guardian

Flutey boots it to Rob Kearney and he returns the favour to Delon Armitage.

The Guardian - Sport

The upper house passed the bill 43 votes in favour to 16 against.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing support or preference, consider using more standard prepositions like "in favor of" or rephrasing to use alternatives such as "preference for" or "inclination toward" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "favour to" as a direct substitute for standard prepositional phrases like "in favour of". This usage, while present, can sound awkward or incorrect to many native English speakers. Opt for more established and grammatically sound alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "favour to" functions as a prepositional phrase, often intended to indicate preference or advantage. While it appears in various sources as shown in Ludwig, it is often considered grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "favour to" is frequently used, as indicated by the many examples found by Ludwig. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. While it appears across various sources, including news outlets, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, it is advisable to use established alternatives like "in favour of", "preference for", or "inclination toward" for greater clarity and grammatical correctness. Despite its common usage, adhering to standard English conventions will enhance the professionalism and precision of your writing. Understanding context, nuance and intent is key when choosing alternative phrases, therefore each alternative phrase can imply a slightly different meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

favor for

Replaces 'to' with 'for', aligning with standard prepositional usage after 'favor'.

preference for

Similar to 'inclination,' but more directly states a liking or choosing of one thing over another.

partiality toward

Highlights a bias or preferential treatment towards someone or something.

inclination toward

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal expression indicating a preference.

leaning toward

Indicates a slight preference or inclination, often tentative or not fully decided.

tendency to

Indicates a leaning or likelihood towards a particular action or outcome.

sympathy for

Expresses support or understanding for a cause or person.

predisposition to

A more formal alternative, suggesting a natural or inherent inclination.

bent toward

Suggests a strong, almost innate, tendency or inclination.

disposition to

Similar to 'predisposition,' indicating an inherent quality that influences behavior.

FAQs

How can I properly use the word "favour" in a sentence?

Use phrases like "do a favour for", "in favour of", or "find favour with". For instance, "Could you do me a "favor"?" or "I am in "favor of" the proposal".

What are some alternatives to "favour to" that are grammatically correct?

Consider using "in "favor of"", "preference for", or "inclination toward" depending on the context. These alternatives are more commonly accepted and understood.

Is "favour to" considered grammatically correct in English?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "favour to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. While it appears in some contexts, it's not standard English.

When is it appropriate to use "favour" in a sentence?

Use "favour" when asking for a service, expressing a preference, or discussing something that is advantageous. For example, "I need to ask you a "favor"", or "The weather was in our "favor"".