in order of decreasing preference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in order of decreasing preference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing choices or options ranked from most preferred to least preferred. Example: "The candidates were listed in order of decreasing preference based on their qualifications and interview performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Survey respondents reported that they were very comfortable being triaged by a physician (39.1%), nurse (35%) and a resident (27.7%) in order of decreasing preference.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I have ranked them in order of personal preference.

Huffington Post

The first asked the participant to rank each test in order of overall preference.

BMC Cancer

In Wales, parents give their preferred schools in order of preference.

BBC

Listed in order of preference.

The New York Times - Food

Rank these in order of preference.

The New York Times

Listed in order of preference in each category.

The New York Times - Food

Impressions of three hyperconvenience foods follow, in order of preference.

The New York Times

The six wines here are listed in order of preference.

The New York Times - Food

Joe Drape listed the horses in order of preference.

The New York Times

These six wines are listed in order of preference.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in order of decreasing preference" when you're explicitly presenting a ranked list from most favored to least favored option. Always make the context clear and provide criteria for ranking, especially when dealing with subjective preferences.

Common error

Avoid using "in order of decreasing preference" when the ranking is based on objective criteria like size or quantity, rather than subjective preference. Instead, use phrases like "in descending order of size".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in order of decreasing preference" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying how items are arranged or presented. Ludwig confirms its usability. It indicates that items are organized from the most favored to the least favored.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in order of decreasing preference" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate a ranking from most to least favored, as confirmed by Ludwig. It appears across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal writing. While grammatically correct and widely used, it's important to ensure the context clearly defines the criteria for preference. Alternatives like ""ranked from most to least preferred"" offer conciseness, while maintaining clarity is crucial to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ranked from most to least preferred

This alternative uses a more concise wording, directly stating the ranking direction.

in descending order of preference

This alternative replaces "decreasing" with "descending", which is a direct synonym, offering a slightly more formal tone.

listed by preference, highest to lowest

This alternative clearly specifies the listing order, replacing "in order of" with "listed by" for brevity.

ordered by decreasing favor

This alternative uses "favor" as a synonym for "preference," maintaining the core meaning with a slight variation in word choice.

prioritized from best to worst

This phrase focuses on prioritization rather than preference, implying a decision-making process based on merit.

in a descending hierarchy of preference

This alternative uses a more structured or formal tone to convey the ranking process.

ranked by top to bottom choices

This option simplifies the phrase by focusing on the direction of ranking without explicitly mentioning 'decreasing'.

sorted from highest to lowest priority

The alternative focuses on "priority" instead of preference and is useful when something is prioritized.

graded by decreasing interest

This option uses a different verb, "graded," and substitutes "preference" with "interest," changing the implication slightly.

arranged in a pecking order of preference

This is a figurative alternative highlighting a social hierarchy within preferences.

FAQs

How can I use "in order of decreasing preference" in a sentence?

You can use "in order of decreasing preference" to describe a ranked list where the most favored options come first. For example, "The candidates were listed "in order of decreasing preference" based on their qualifications and experience."

What are some alternatives to "in order of decreasing preference"?

Alternatives include "ranked from most to least preferred", "in descending order of preference", or "listed by preference, highest to lowest".

Is it better to say "in order of decreasing preference" or "from most to least preferred"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""ranked from most to least preferred"" may be more concise and easier to understand in certain contexts. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and clarity.

What's the difference between "in order of decreasing preference" and "in order of importance"?

"In order of decreasing preference" implies a subjective ranking based on personal favor, while "in order of importance" suggests a ranking based on objective significance or criticality.