give preference to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give preference to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing a preference or priority for something or someone. Example sentence: When deciding on a restaurant for dinner, I give preference to places with outdoor seating.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Courses ending in N give preference to freshmen; courses ending in Q give preference to sophomores.

Stanford University

They tend to give preference to women, he said.

The New York Times

(He does give preference to one group: orphans).

The New York Times

They give preference to people who are bleeding, who are near death, he said.

The New York Times - Health

Several dozen cleaning contractors also agreed to give preference to those janitors in future hiring.

The New York Times

Several dozen cleaning contractors also agreed to give preference to laid-off janitors in future hiring.

The New York Times

The guidelines for the guarantees give preference to applicants that obtain concessions from creditors and employees.

The New York Times

"We are a Catholic school, and we give preference to Catholics.

The New York Times

The final statement said: "We agree to give preference to voluntary return".

The Guardian

Voluntary and public bodies might want to give preference to social enterprises.

The Guardian

It would be nice but unfeasible to give preference to camera-free trips.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider whether a more concise synonym like "prioritize" might be more effective.

Common error

Avoid vague statements about giving preference without explaining why. For example, instead of saying "We give preference to experienced candidates", specify "We give preference to experienced candidates because they require less training."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give preference to" functions as a verb phrase expressing the act of favoring or prioritizing something or someone over others. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. The provided examples in Ludwig show a range of contexts where this phrase is used to indicate preference.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "give preference to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate favoring or prioritizing one thing over another. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, and the numerous examples illustrate its versatility across various domains, including news, academia, and science. When using this phrase, it's essential to provide a clear rationale for the preference. While alternatives like "prioritize" and "favor" exist, they carry slightly different connotations. Understanding these nuances allows for more precise and effective communication. The phrase is generally neutral in tone, making it suitable for professional and academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give priority to

Very similar but uses the noun 'priority' to convey importance.

prioritize

A more concise verb implying the act of ordering items in importance.

favor

Suggests a bias or inclination towards something, often based on personal feelings.

put first

A simple and direct way of indicating that something is the top priority.

treat as more important

A more descriptive way of saying something is given greater value.

privilege

Implies granting a special right or advantage.

place emphasis on

Focuses on highlighting the importance of something.

value more highly

Highlights the act of assigning greater worth or significance.

lean towards

Implies a tendency or inclination rather than a strict prioritization.

show partiality to

Indicates a bias or favoritism, often implying unfairness.

FAQs

How can I use "give preference to" in a sentence?

You can use "give preference to" to indicate that you favor one thing over another. For example, "The school "gives preference to" students with high grades".

What are some alternatives to "give preference to"?

Alternatives include "prioritize", "favor", or "give priority to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "gave preference to" instead of "give preference to"?

Yes, "gave preference to" is the past tense of the phrase and is grammatically correct. For example, "The company "gave preference to" internal candidates during the last hiring cycle".

What's the difference between "give preference to" and "give priority to"?

While similar, "give preference to" implies a general favoring, whereas "give priority to" suggests a more structured or formal ranking of importance. You might "give preference to" a certain type of cuisine, but "give priority to" tasks with looming deadlines.