it was his preference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was his preference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate someone's choice or liking for something over other options. Example: "When it came to vacation destinations, it was his preference to visit the mountains rather than the beach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr. O'Keeffe said: "It was his preference to cook French.

The New York Times - Food

As he has repeatedly in recent days, Mr. Rumsfeld said that it was his preference that the Northern Alliance not allow non-Afghan fighters to leave the country.

The New York Times

If Bourdain made anything clear about his hiring practices in "Kitchen Confidential," it was his preference for the "non-American" and the "tough-as-nails, foulmouthed, trash-talking female line cook," particularly over "bed-wetting white boys".

The New York Times - Books

Indeed, there is a letter from Biden to Wright dated Oct. 13 , 1991 in which he stated it was his "preference" that she testify, but that by the "mutual agreement" of Wright and the members of the committee, she was released from the subpoena and her interviews would be put in the record instead.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He cuts back at times late in the season, but it is his preference to make practice perfect.

The New York Times - Sports

The Burnley striker Danny Ings has made it clear to Tottenham Hotspur that it is his preference to join Liverpool this summer in spite of the London club's continued attempts to muscle in on the deal.

Independent

Time television critic James Poniewozik, notes that by the end of the first episode Frank establishes that his metaphor of choice is meat because both literally and figuratively it is his preference.

Wikipedia

(Five days of rehearsal was his preference).

The New York Times - Arts

Angels star Mike Trout, who is a natural center fielder and quickly migrated there when Bourjos got hurt, makes it clear that that is his preference and also makes it clear that he will do whatever the team says.

Los Angeles Times

So if he was hiding something, it wasn't his sexual preference, it was his conservatism.

The New York Times - Arts

E-mail is his preference.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was his preference" to clearly indicate someone's choice or leaning when other options are available. This phrase emphasizes the subjective nature of the decision.

Common error

Avoid using "it was his preference" when the described action was mandatory or without alternative. "Preference" implies choice, so using it in a context lacking options can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was his preference" functions as a nominal phrase that expresses a subject's liking or inclination toward a specific option. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase is often followed by a clarification of what the preference was.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was his preference" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate someone's choice or inclination. While not exceedingly common, it appears regularly in news and media sources, as shown by Ludwig. Its primary function is to convey someone's favored option. When using the phrase, be mindful of synonyms like "he preferred" and ensure the context involves a genuine choice. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in standard English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he preferred

A more concise way to state a preference.

his preference was

Reorders the sentence structure for emphasis.

he favored

Replaces 'preference' with a synonym indicating a liking or choice.

his inclination was

Uses 'inclination' as a synonym for 'preference', suggesting a natural tendency.

he had a penchant for

Indicates a strong liking or habitual preference.

his tendency was to

Emphasizes a habitual or recurrent choice.

he was partial to

Implies a bias or favoritism towards something.

he leaned towards

Suggests a slight preference or inclination.

his desire was

Focuses on the wanting aspect of the preference.

he gravitated towards

Implies a natural movement or attraction towards something.

FAQs

What does "it was his preference" mean?

The phrase "it was his preference" indicates that someone favored or liked a particular option more than others. It expresses a choice or inclination.

How can I rephrase "it was his preference"?

You can use alternatives like "he preferred", "his preference was", or "he favored" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "it was his preference" formal or informal?

"It was his preference" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, simpler alternatives like "he preferred" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

When should I use "it was his preference" instead of "he preferred"?

Use "it was his preference" when you want to emphasize the existence of a choice or the subjective nature of the decision. "He preferred" is more direct and less emphatic.