favourites

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "favourites" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to things that someone particularly likes or prefers, often in the context of a list or selection. Example: "My favourites include chocolate ice cream, mystery novels, and classic rock music."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even so, the favourites for that category remain Kevin Spacey in American Beauty and Russell Crowe in The Insider.

The Guardian - Film

Hilary Swank, who has already won a Golden Globe for her role in Boys Don't Cry, is one of the favourites for the best actress Oscar, a category that sees Meryl Streep win a record 12th nomination for Music of the Heart.

The Guardian - Film

And he intends to be a key element in pre-season title favourites Warwickshire's bid to emulate their 2012 success after snubbing a call up from New Zealand.

The Guardian - Sport

Bradford might even go into this game as favourites.

The Guardian - Sport

The response – a flurry of favourites and followers (he now has 38,000 and counting) – left him completely baffled but secretly delighted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Anu reveals her 10 personal favourites in the video above - it's a wide-ranging selection, spanning Bollywood, Hollywood and independent Indian film.

The Guardian

For the subsection most likely to be found lolling in the festival's green fields to the sound of a cycle-powered electric banjo, the Pyramid stage – where U2 play – is like going into town on a Saturday night: big, loud and lairy, with Radio 1 favourites blaring on a loop.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the midpoint in the campaign, with three weeks gone and three weeks to go, the two favourites – though that's an improbable way to describe politicians in the current era – are still neck and neck.

The Guardian - Opinion

My favourites this year include Ballad of the Miners' Strike (March, Radio 2), a hugely moving and important testimony woven with folk music, archive clips and much warmth.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I don't appreciate clicking 'Guardian' in my favourites to be redirected here.

The Guardian

Rather than manually selecting what you want to download, there is one button that allows you to download your homescreen and your favourites.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "favourites", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the intended meaning. Use more specific terms like "preferred choices" or "top picks" for clarity.

Common error

Ensure that the pluralization of "favourites" is consistent throughout your writing. Avoid switching between singular and plural forms unless the context requires it.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "favourites" is as a plural noun. It refers to multiple items or entities that are preferred or liked the most by someone. Ludwig AI's examples confirm this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "favourites" functions as a plural noun indicating items or entities that are preferred or highly regarded. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, predominantly in news, sports, and lifestyle domains. While alternatives like "preferred choices" or "top picks" exist, "favourites" remains a commonly used and readily understood term for expressing personal preferences. It's crucial to maintain consistent pluralization and consider the specific context for optimal clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preferred choices

Focuses on the selection aspect, highlighting that these are the options one likes more than others.

top picks

Emphasizes that these are the best selections from a larger group.

preferred selections

Highlights the act of selecting or choosing something over other options.

most liked items

Directly indicates items that receive the most positive regard or enjoyment.

best loved

Directly expresses a strong sense of affection or fondness for the items.

prized selections

Suggests that these choices are highly valued and carefully considered.

dearest items

Emphasizes the personal affection and emotional connection to the items.

treasured possessions

Highlights the value and emotional attachment associated with the preferred items.

most esteemed

Focuses on high regard and respect for the chosen items.

personal preferences

Shifts the focus to the individual's subjective liking, rather than an objective ranking.

FAQs

How can I use "favourites" in a sentence?

"Favourites" is typically used as a plural noun to refer to things that someone likes the most. For example, "These are my favourites."

What's a good alternative to "favourites"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "preferred choices", "top picks", or "most liked items".

Is it correct to use "favorites" instead of "favourites"?

Both "favorites" and "favourites" are correct, but "favourites" is more common in British English, while "favorites" is more common in American English.

What is the difference between "favorites" and "preferences"?

"Favorites" usually refers to a specific list of items that someone likes the most, while "preferences" refers to general tastes or inclinations.