has a greater preference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has a greater preference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the preferences of different subjects or options, indicating that one has a stronger inclination towards something than another. Example: "In the survey, it was found that the majority of participants has a greater preference for outdoor activities over indoor ones."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

On alkaline phosphatase (AP) treatment, we found that this antibody has a greater preference for the phosphorylated form of Synj, as no signal was detected following AP treatment using this antibody (Fig. 4c; p-Synj).

Nature

Sil et al. (2001) showed that cyclam has a greater preference for silver ions over other cations.

Journal of Analytical Science and Technology

We next wanted to check if the population as a whole has a greater preference for one of the call categories.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

One study found that context matters: Women living in poorer environments may have a greater preference for masculine men, but women in more developed areas prefer more feminine-looking men, according to a study from the Face Research Laboratory.

Huffington Post

In portfolio selection, women tend to have a greater preference for fixed-income investments.

The New York Times

Females had a greater preference for using their right paw; males were more inclined to adopt their left paw.

Animal Behaviour

Young autistic children also tend to have a greater preference for abstract images over social images, so eye-tracking could provide another useful biomarker for the condition.

The Guardian

Many Mexican-Americans still sit down together at the dinner table instead of popping packaged food into the microwave, and they tend to have a greater preference for fresh foods than do most Americans.

The New York Times

Minimal differences among diets were found for TMR particle size selection during the challenge day; however, cows had a greater preference for high-quality long hay during recovery days.

Journal of Dairy Science

Recent research from Australia found that men with a high drive for muscularity, as manifested in the muscle dysmorphia of "bigorexia", had a greater preference for traditional masculine roles, whereas men with a high desire for thinness (as in anorexia nervosa) displayed greater adherence to traditional feminine roles.

The Guardian - Opinion

Compared with social-oriented face (MIAN), consumers with stronger morality-oriented face (LIAN) have a greater preference for ecological products.

Frontiers of Business Research in China

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has a greater preference", ensure that the comparison is clear. Specify what is being preferred and what it is being preferred over to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "has a greater preference" without explicitly stating the alternative. For instance, instead of saying "John has a greater preference", specify "John has a greater preference for coffee over tea".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has a greater preference" functions as a verb phrase indicating a comparative preference. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that one subject likes something more than another.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

39%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has a greater preference" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase, according to Ludwig, to express a comparative preference. It is used to indicate that one subject likes something more than another. Its usage spans various contexts, including science, news media, and academic writing, maintaining a generally neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the comparison is clear and explicit to avoid ambiguity. More formal alternatives include "exhibits a marked preference for" or "demonstrates a higher inclination to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prefers considerably

Focuses on degree of preference. Directly indicates a noticeable level of choosing one thing over another.

favors more

This alternative uses a verb that directly implies inclination or support toward one option over others.

is more partial to

Indicates a bias or favoritism towards something.

inclines more towards

This phrase suggests a leaning or tendency to prefer something, highlighting the direction of preference.

exhibits a marked preference for

Uses 'exhibits' to show a clear and noticeable preference.

shows a stronger liking for

This alternative emphasizes the emotional aspect of preference, indicating a deeper fondness.

leans more favorably toward

Suggests a positive inclination in decision-making or judgment.

demonstrates a higher inclination to

Highlights an observable pattern or tendency toward a particular preference.

gives more weight to

Focuses on the importance or value assigned to something over others.

has a penchant for

Implies a strong liking or fondness, often habitual or characteristic.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "has a greater preference" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "exhibits a marked preference for", or "demonstrates a higher inclination to".

What is the difference between "prefers" and "has a greater preference"?

"Prefers" is a more concise way of expressing the same idea, while "has a greater preference" is slightly more emphatic and explicitly indicates a comparison.

Is it correct to say "have a greater preference"?

Yes, "have a greater preference" is correct when referring to a plural subject (e.g., "They have a greater preference for action movies"). "Has a greater preference" is used for singular subjects.

Can I use "stronger preference" instead of "greater preference"?

Yes, "stronger preference" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to "greater preference". Both convey a higher degree of liking or favouritism.