is partial to sweet things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is partial to sweet things" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing someone's preference for sweet foods or desserts. For example: "She is partial to sweet things, often choosing dessert first." Alternative expressions include "has a sweet tooth" and "loves sweet treats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of course babies are partial to sweet foods -- evolutionarily we all are!

Huffington Post

Porcellini, the hotel's director of food & beverage, said food art is an emerging trend, and he's partial to sweets being crafted into the visual art.

Los Angeles Times

Mr. Clinton is partial to sliced pork barbecue, baked beans and slaw, sliced beef, potato salad and sweet potato pie.

The New York Times

He is partial to Pink Floyd.

The New York Times - Sports

He is partial to theatricality.

The New Yorker

Ms. Middleton is partial to V-necks.

The New York Times

He is partial to drum circles.

The New York Times

However, Leno is partial to Duesenbergs.

Forbes

Patricia is partial to classic ballads.

Huffington Post

And she's partial to spring bloomers, like sweet rocket.

The New York Times

But the thing is, I am partial to a nice piece of raclette.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase when you want to sound more sophisticated or descriptive than simply saying someone 'likes' sweets. It is particularly effective in character portraits or biographical writing.

Common error

Do not use 'partial for' or 'partial with'. In English, the adjective 'partial' (meaning biased toward or fond of) strictly requires the preposition 'to'. For example, write 'She is partial to chocolate' rather than 'She is partial for chocolate'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is partial to sweet things" functions as a predicative adjective phrase that describes a subject's inclination. According to Ludwig, the head adjective 'partial' expresses a favorable bias, while the prepositional phrase 'to sweet things' serves as its mandatory complement, specifying the object of that bias.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "is partial to sweet things" is an elegant and grammatically correct way to describe a preference for sugary foods. While the specific four-word phrase is statistically rare, the underlying structure—partial to plus a noun—is extremely common in elite English publications. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is a standard alternative to idiomatic phrases like "has a sweet tooth". It is most appropriate for contexts where you wish to describe character traits with a touch of sophistication without sounding overly academic. Writers should be careful to always use the preposition 'to' and avoid the common mistake of using 'for'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has a sweet tooth

Uses a common idiom instead of a formal adjective phrase

loves sugary treats

Uses a more direct and emotionally expressive verb

has a weakness for sweets

Suggests a lack of self-control or an irresistible temptation

enjoys confectionery

Uses more technical or formal vocabulary for sweets

is fond of desserts

Shifts focus specifically to the post-meal course

prefers sweets

A simpler, more direct active verb construction

favors sugary snacks

Focuses on small food items rather than sweets in general

has a penchant for candy

Uses more sophisticated vocabulary to describe the inclination

likes sugary foods

The most basic and literal descriptive form

is a fan of sweets

Provides a more casual and conversational alternative

FAQs

What does it mean to be partial to sweet things?

It means to have a special liking, preference or bias toward foods that are sugary. It is a more formal way of saying someone "has a sweet tooth".

Is it better to say "has a sweet tooth" or "is partial to sweet things"?

It depends on the tone. Use ""has a sweet tooth"" for casual conversation and "is partial to sweet things" for more polished or journalistic writing.

What can I say instead of "is partial to sweet things"?

You can use alternatives like "enjoys sugary treats", "is fond of sweets" or simply "loves sweets".

Is "is partial to sweet things" formal?

Yes, it is considered a neutral to formal expression. It is frequently found in literature and high-quality news sources like "The New York Times" or "The New Yorker".