favourable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "favourable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or outcome which is preferred or advantageous. For example, "The weather forecast for the weekend is favourable, so we should be able to have a picnic outdoors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet, although even the IMF is crying out for the classic Keynesian boost to infrastructure spending, there is precious little sign of a favourable response from policymakers, especially in the beleaguered eurozone.

The Guardian

The geostrategic setting in the Middle East is once again favourable to an Iranian-Israeli rapprochement, whether overt or sub rosa.

The Guardian

During an event at City Hall he said: "We are very sure that there is a favourable and a fair outcome for the tenants who, I agree, had the shock of seeing their rents potentially go up, and what I want to achieve is the sale of that estate to a social landlord".

The Guardian

"If following the election doubts emerge about the new government and society's will to implement the programme, the current favourable prospects will reverse," he said.

The Guardian - Business

It was obviously a distant dream, but I knew then that's what I wanted to do.' Henman, embarking on his eighth attempt at the men's title this week, does not always receive a favourable press, particularly when he submits himself to interviews by general feature writers.

The Guardian - Sport

The ratio of tips to wins is expected to be favourable for this hard-hitting romance between a charity shop worker and a troubled alcoholic.

The Guardian - Film

Cameron is facing calls from Tory MPs to balance the powers for Holyrood by denying Scottish MPs the right to vote on English-only matters at Westminster and to reform the favourable funding arrangements for Scotland in the Barnett formula.

The Guardian

In retrospect, it is obvious that post-war circumstances were uniquely favourable to Christian Democracy.

The Guardian - Opinion

While Monkey is sure the honourable member was mostly concerned with the safety of Littlewoods employee pensions and the tax takings at HMRC, it seems unlikely any follow-up to The Four Streets will be getting especially favourable reviews in the Telegraph.

The Guardian

Excessive focus on the deficit will force the political debate on to terms that are most favourable to the Tories.

The Guardian - Opinion

A British embassy official wrote: "The balance of the programme should be 60 to 75% favourable to the new regime".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "favourable" to describe conditions, opinions, or outcomes that are advantageous or likely to lead to success. For example, "The economic climate is now favourable for investment."

Common error

Avoid using "favourable" when a stronger term like "excellent" or "outstanding" is more appropriate. "Favourable" implies a positive but not necessarily exceptional assessment.

Linguistic Context

The word "favourable" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that is advantageous, approving, or likely to lead to a positive outcome. Ludwig's examples showcase this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "favourable" is a versatile adjective used to describe advantageous conditions, positive opinions, or outcomes likely to lead to success. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and notes its frequent usage in news and business contexts. Alternatives like ""advantageous"" and "beneficial" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful of the British English spelling ("favourable") versus the American English spelling ("favorable"). Overall, "favourable" is a reliable choice for expressing a positive assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advantageous

Emphasizes the beneficial aspect or potential gain.

beneficial

Highlights the positive impact or helpfulness.

auspicious

Focuses on the promising or fortunate nature of a situation.

propitious

Similar to auspicious, suggesting a good chance of success.

fortunate

Indicates luck or good fortune being involved.

promising

Highlights the potential for a positive outcome.

encouraging

Suggests that something is inspiring hope and confidence.

agreeable

Implies that something is pleasing or suitable.

opportune

Highlights the timing as being particularly suitable.

positive

A general term for something good or beneficial.

FAQs

How to use "favourable" in a sentence?

You can use "favourable" to describe a positive condition, opinion, or outcome. For example, "The review of the restaurant was "positive"" or "The conditions are "advantageous" for growth".

What can I say instead of "favourable"?

You can use alternatives like ""advantageous"", "beneficial", "auspicious", or ""positive"" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "favourable" or "favorable"?

"Favourable" is the British English spelling, while "favorable" is the American English spelling. Both are correct, but choose the spelling that matches your audience.

What's the difference between "favourable" and "promising"?

"Favourable" suggests that current conditions are advantageous, while "promising" implies potential for a positive future outcome. Something "favourable" is good now; something "promising" has the potential to become good.