giving preference to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "giving preference to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to favoring one thing over another. For example, "The club gave preference to members who had been with them for over five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And North bravely passed instead of giving preference to clubs.

The New York Times

But after a 2007 lawsuit, the city stopped giving preference to black and Hispanic students.

The New York Times

American policymakers and diplomats must also avoid giving preference to intellectuals, technocrats and opposition politicians.

The New York Times

With the government giving preference to domestic suppliers, OSX can expect an inside track here too.

The New York Times

Giving preference to "those who seem to integrate most readily" smacks of an imperialist attitude.

The Economist

Local politicians and HUD officials are still committed to giving preference to nonprofit groups over private developers and speculators.

The New York Times

For other antibiotics, McDonald's is simply encouraging and giving preference to suppliers that reduce their use of the drugs.

The New York Times

By giving preference to Christians over Muslims, religious leaders have said the executive order pits one faith against another.

The New York Times

In the form it went through parliament, the employment directive would have stopped 16 colleges from giving preference to Catholics.

The Guardian

New Zealand started giving preference to job holders in 2003 and Australia made the shift in 2009.

The Economist

Mr. Brookman said the hotel expected to hire at least 20 employees, giving preference to Bronx residents.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "giving preference to", ensure the reason for the preference is clear to maintain transparency and avoid misunderstandings. Consider if a more concise synonym like "favoring" or "prioritizing" might be more effective.

Common error

Avoid constructions where "giving preference to" leads to a passive voice. Instead of "Preference was given to candidates with experience", use "The company gave preference to candidates with experience" for a more direct and active sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "giving preference to" functions as a verbal phrase often introducing a clause that describes an action of choosing or favoring one thing over another. Ludwig showcases its usage in diverse contexts ranging from news articles to scientific papers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

34%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

10%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "giving preference to" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase for indicating a choice or bias in favor of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. While versatile, remember that simpler synonyms like "prioritizing" or "favoring" may sometimes offer greater clarity and conciseness. To avoid common errors, make an effort to prevent passive voice constructions and ensure that there is clarity of the preference for transparency. Overall, this phrase is a valuable tool for expressing preference, but always consider the most precise and effective word choice for your specific needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

giving priority to

This alternative uses a noun form of "preference", focusing on the act of assigning priority.

prioritizing

This alternative is shorter and more direct, focusing on the act of assigning priority.

favoring

This alternative is a more concise synonym, emphasizing the act of showing favor.

preferring

This alternative is a shorter, more direct verb form.

showing partiality to

This alternative highlights potential bias, emphasizing the act of showing favoritism.

opting for

This alternative focuses on the act of choosing, implying a selection from multiple options.

leaning towards

This alternative suggests a tendency to favor, implying a less decisive choice.

tilting towards

This alternative suggests a bias, implying a less decisive choice.

selecting

This alternative focuses on the act of picking, implying a selection from multiple options.

choosing

This alternative focuses on the act of picking, implying a selection from multiple options.

FAQs

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

You can use "giving preference to" to describe favoring one option over others, for example: "The company is "giving preference to" renewable energy sources".

What's a simpler way to say "giving preference to"?

Alternatives include "favoring", "prioritizing", or "preferring". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "giving preference to"?

While grammatically correct, "giving preference to" can sometimes sound formal or wordy. In many cases, a shorter alternative like "favoring" is more appropriate.

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

The phrases are largely interchangeable. "Giving priority to" emphasizes the importance of something, while ""giving preference to"" highlights a choice or selection.