first preference

USAGE SUMMARY

"first preference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a first choice option in a given situation. For example, "My first preference is to stay home and watch TV tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"My first preference is that it stays a church.

The New York Times

"That would not have been our first preference," Phillips said.

The New York Times - Sports

Campbell received 6139 first preference votes and exceeded the quota.

The Guardian

"Diplomacy should always be the first preference," Mr. Israel wrote.

The New York Times

The preliminary results Friday recorded first preference votes.

The New York Times

Spiderlings exhibited a significant first preference for the original diet.

Behavioural Processes

Miliband won 84 first preference votes in this section compared with 40 for Balls.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Our first-preference votes are up 6-76-7%roScotlandand.

The Guardian

Indeed on first-preference votes, the poll shows him outperforming his first-preference performance of 2000, 2004 and 2008.

The Guardian

Gillard's honeymoon added four percentage points to Labor's share of first-preference voting intentions.

The Guardian

But AV can result in large hauls of first-preference votes for minor parties.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first preference" to clearly communicate your top choice among multiple options, ensuring there's no ambiguity about your priority.

Common error

Avoid using "first preference" when a simple 'preference' suffices if there's no other option involved. Overusing it can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first preference" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or object, specifying the top choice among available options. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

12%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "first preference" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for clearly indicating a top choice. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and business. While alternatives like "top priority" or "preferred option" exist, "first preference" is a direct and effective way to communicate priority. When using the phrase, ensure that multiple options are being considered to avoid redundancy. This ensures clarity and maximizes the phrase's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

top priority

Emphasizes the importance and precedence of something over other options.

preferred option

Highlights the act of choosing or liking one option more than others.

initial choice

Focuses on the selection made at the beginning or as a starting point.

primary selection

Indicates the main or principal selection from a set of possibilities.

favored alternative

Suggests a liking or inclination towards a particular alternative.

leading candidate

Implies that something is most likely or best suited for a particular purpose.

foremost desire

Highlights the strength of wanting or wishing for something above all else.

main inclination

Indicates a natural tendency or urge towards something specific.

principal aim

Emphasizes the main goal or objective that one is trying to achieve.

chief concern

Indicates the most important matter needing attention or consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "first preference" in a sentence?

You can use "first preference" to indicate your top choice among several options. For example, "My first preference is to work from home."

What is a good alternative to "first preference"?

Alternatives include "top priority", "preferred option", or "initial choice", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "my first preference"?

While 'preference' alone can imply a top choice, using "first preference" emphasizes that it is your highest priority, especially when multiple options exist.

What's the difference between "first preference" and "second choice"?

"First preference" indicates your top choice, while "second choice" implies an alternative that you would accept if your "first preference" is not available.