is to be preferred

USAGE SUMMARY

"is to be preferred" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is better than something else. For example: "Living a healthy lifestyle is to be preferred for optimal health."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Moreover, if one horizontal orientation is to be preferred, there are five reasons for choosing the prone position in preference to the supine position.

Critical Care

Galeano's Cassandra is to be preferred to his Pollyanna.

The Guardian - Books

"The life of freedom is to be preferred".

The New York Times - Magazine

For monitoring plasmid instability, the second is to be preferred.

Chemical Engineering Science

Furthermore, the life of action is to be preferred to ascetic resignation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The latter iterative scheme is to be preferred, with the possibility of parallel implementations.

Journal of Computational Physics

Moreover, e/a is to be preferred to VEC to classify phases in HEAs.

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

Even so, the ECM recording is to be preferred for the breadth and intimacy of the piano sound.

The New York Times - Arts

The explanation that requires the fewest assumptions is to be preferred to other explanations that account for all the facts.

University of California, Berkeley

Moreover, for asymmetric curves a combination of Fourier analysis and time domain fitting is to be preferred.

Chemical Engineering Science

The heat humidify re-heat cycle is to be preferred, as theat humidify re-heatol cycleompensate for overshoot.

Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is to be preferred", clearly state the reason for the preference to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "Due to its efficiency, option A is to be preferred."

Common error

Avoid using "is to be preferred" in casual conversation or informal writing; opt for simpler alternatives like "is better" or "I prefer".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is to be preferred" functions as a passive construction indicating that something is considered better or more suitable than something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

22%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is to be preferred" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express that one option or method is considered better than another. According to Ludwig AI, it is commonly employed in formal, academic, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure you provide the reasoning behind the preference to avoid ambiguity. While frequent in formal writing, it's best to avoid it in casual conversation, opting for simpler alternatives. This analysis is supported by numerous examples from authoritative sources, illustrating its wide applicability in expressing reasoned preferences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is the preferred choice

Nominalizes the phrase, emphasizing the choice itself.

is recommended

Directly states that something is being suggested as the better option.

should be favored

Changes the verb to "favored", implying a slightly stronger inclination.

is the better option

Explicitly states that something is superior.

ought to be chosen

Replaces "preferred" with "chosen", focusing on the act of selection.

is more appropriate

Focuses on appropriateness in a given context.

is better suited

Shifts the focus to suitability rather than direct preference.

is advisable

Indicates that something is recommended or sensible.

holds the advantage

Implies that something has benefits or merits over another.

is the way to go

Uses a more informal idiom to suggest the best course of action.

FAQs

How can I use "is to be preferred" in a sentence?

Use "is to be preferred" to indicate that one option or method is better than another. For example, "In this scenario, option A "is to be preferred" over option B due to its efficiency."

What alternatives can I use instead of "is to be preferred"?

You can use alternatives such as "is recommended", "is advisable", or "is the better option" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "is to be preferred"?

"Is to be preferred" is suitable in formal writing, academic papers, and professional contexts where a nuanced comparison is necessary. It is less common in casual conversation.

Is "is to be preferred" the same as "should be preferred"?

While similar, "is to be preferred" implies a current state of preference based on existing factors, whereas "should be preferred" suggests a recommendation or future action. For example, "Based on current data, this method "is to be preferred"," versus "For optimal results, this method "should be preferred"."