he is preferred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is preferred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is favored or chosen over others in a particular context or situation. Example: "In the selection process for the project, he is preferred due to his extensive experience and skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

At the expected odds of around 9-2, he is preferred to Lucky William, whose recent form figures might give an exaggerated impression of his ability.

The Guardian - Sport

A new Quinnipiac poll shows that he is preferred by 36% of likely voters, outdistancing Christine Quinn, the city council Speaker, and Bill Thompson, the comptroller, by 15 and 16 points, respectively.

The Economist

He is preferred to Fergus McFadden as a replacement for regular inside centre Gordon D'Arcy, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the Six Nations with a foot injury.

BBC

Whatever happens this weekend, Pantilimon appears likely to leave England in the summer in search of first-team football, but his largely frustrating time on these shores will end in glory if, as expected, he is preferred to Hart and then helps City beat Wigan.

BBC

Legend has it that Thomas Jefferson carried his Greek grammar book with him wherever he went....when a citizen is in any way distinguished, he is preferred to the public service, not as a matter of privilege, but as the reward of merit.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

No, Obama rose — and even on taxes he's preferred over McCain.

The New Yorker

He was preferred to Rudy Gestede, Campbell and Maynard, none of whom were fully fit.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite the reputation Balotelli has for volatility, he was preferred to Dzeko at centre-forward.

The Guardian - Sport

Local intelligence claims he was preferred to "several international star names".

The Guardian - Sport

Abbott's personal approval was also slightly higher in Canning than the national average – he was preferred prime minister over the opposition leader, Bill Shorten, 41 to 38.

The Guardian

Against Hannover and Atlético, Robin van Persie was the focal point of the attack – he was preferred to Nicklas Bendtner, who played in one of the support roles.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “he is preferred” when you want to emphasize a conscious choice or decision that favors someone over others based on specific criteria.

Common error

Avoid using “he is preferred” if the context implies a general liking or personal taste rather than a deliberate selection. In such cases, use alternatives like “he is liked” or “he enjoys”.

Linguistic Context

The phrase “he is preferred” functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone is the recipient of a preference or selection. As seen in Ludwig's examples, this preference is usually based on specific qualifications or criteria. The phrase highlights that a choice has been made in favor of the individual.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, “he is preferred” is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates a deliberate choice or favoring of an individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is primarily employed in neutral contexts such as news and sports reporting, where an objective selection process is being described. When writing, it’s important to use this phrase when you want to emphasize that someone has been chosen based on qualifications or specific reasons. Remember to avoid using it when describing a general liking or personal taste, where alternative phrases like “he is liked” would be more appropriate. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately use “he is preferred” in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is favored

Simple synonym, directly replaces 'preferred' with 'favored'.

he is the preferred choice

More emphatic, highlighting that the person is the best option.

he is selected

Focuses on the act of choosing him.

he is picked

Informal, similar to 'selected'.

he is deemed better

Emphasizes a judgment of superiority.

he is considered superior

More formal way of saying someone is seen as better.

he has precedence

Indicates a priority or right to go first.

he gets priority

Similar to 'has precedence' but more casual.

he is the leading candidate

Highlights his position as the frontrunner.

he is in the lead

Describes his current position as being ahead of others.

FAQs

How to use "he is preferred" in a sentence?

Use "he is preferred" to indicate that someone is chosen or favored over others due to specific reasons or qualifications. For example, "In this company, "experience" is often why "he is preferred".

What can I say instead of "he is preferred"?

You can use alternatives like "he is favored", "he is selected", or "he is the preferred choice" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "he is preferred" versus "he is liked"?

"He is preferred" implies a formal or objective selection based on criteria. "He is liked" suggests a personal preference or popularity. Use "he is preferred" when referring to a decision-making process.

Is it correct to say "he is preferring"?

While grammatically possible, "he is preferring" is rarely used and can sound awkward. It's usually better to use "he prefers" to express a general preference or "he is preferred" if referring to a state of being favored.