his liking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "his liking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express someone's preference or fondness for something. Example: "The painting was created in a style that was to his liking, showcasing vibrant colors and dynamic forms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He found the flavor to his liking.

The New York Times

He finds a plot to his liking.

The New York Times

But the policy wasn't to his liking.

Independent

It  just wasn't to his liking.

The Guardian - Film

I didn't simplify it to his liking.

The New York Times - Sports

It does things a bit too differently for his liking.

The Economist

"Players stayed there, the coach added more to his liking.

Independent

He eventually found a Bosendorfer that was to his liking.

The New York Times

Liège-Bastogne-Liège, he said, was more to his liking.

The New York Times - Sports

But not everything about the process worked to his liking.

The New York Times - Tech

It was a match more to his liking.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "his liking", ensure the possessive pronoun accurately reflects the subject whose preference is being described. For clarity, rephrase if there's a potential for ambiguity about whose preference is being referenced.

Common error

Avoid overusing "his liking" in formal contexts where more precise language may be appropriate. Instead of saying "The proposal was to his liking", consider more specific alternatives such as "He approved of the proposal" or "The proposal met his requirements".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "his liking" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically following a verb and indicating that something is done or exists according to someone's preference or taste. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "his liking" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that something corresponds with a person's taste or preference. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts, including news and media, more formal settings may benefit from alternatives like "his preference" or "to his taste" for added precision. Understanding its usage and exploring alternative options ensures effective communication across different writing styles. The phrase enjoys widespread use across authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to his taste

Replaces 'liking' with 'taste', suggesting a preference based on personal judgment.

according to his preferences

Uses a more formal structure to indicate alignment with someone's choices.

as he prefers

Directly states his favored way or method of doing something.

what he enjoys

A simple and direct way of expressing his pleasure or satisfaction.

what he appreciates

Focuses on the aspect of valuing or enjoying something specific.

what appeals to him

Focuses on the attractive or pleasing qualities that draw him in.

to his satisfaction

Emphasizes contentment and fulfillment of his needs or expectations.

to his inclination

Highlights a natural tendency or urge towards something.

in accordance with his wishes

Highlights that something is done as he desired or requested.

something he favors

Indicates a disposition to choose or prefer something over other options.

FAQs

How can I use "his liking" in a sentence?

You can use "his liking" to indicate that something matches someone's preferences or tastes. For instance, "He decorated the room to his liking" means he decorated it in a way that pleased him.

What are some alternatives to "his liking"?

You can use alternatives like "to his taste", "according to his preferences", or "what he enjoys" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "his liking" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "his liking" might sound informal in certain contexts. In formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "his preference" or "his satisfaction" for enhanced clarity.

What's the difference between "his liking" and "his preference"?

"His liking" generally implies a sense of enjoyment or approval, whereas "his preference" refers more broadly to a choice or inclination. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.