it was preferred that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was preferred that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a preference or recommendation regarding a particular action or decision. Example: "In the meeting, it was preferred that all team members submit their reports by Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Even then, she noted, one superior told her it was preferred that she not identify herself as a V.A. nurse in any future letter writing.

The New York Times

Between the longer status with Hungary and religious differences with the Ottomans (Hungary and Serbia were Christian, as compared to the Muslim Turks), it was preferred that the capital be closer to Hungary than the Ottoman Empire.

Wikipedia

It was preferred that fellows move to attachment sites outside their working station, although fellows could also take on new "fellow roles" within their working stations.

Human Resources for Health

For sufficiently effective treatments, it was preferred that hypothetical patients have a more equal chance of receiving treatment with less regard to their potential benefit from treatment [ 19].

BMC Medical Ethics

There was a desire from registry participants to see regular communication of results (e.g. annual reports, newsletters) in lay language, [ 7] however again while it was preferred that these were interactive, sophisticated technologies such as videos were not preferred [ 7].

BMC Medical Research Methodology

It was preferred that patients completed the measures in the clinic; however if patients insisted, they were allowed to complete questionnaires at home, in which case patients were asked to return the questionnaires within a week by regular mail.

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It is preferred that the recipient attend this ceremony in person to receive this award.

Cornell University

It is preferred that it is used for backup or transferring purposes only, not as your only existing copy of that data.

Columbia University

In order that students may complete the PhD program without delay, it is preferred that they make use of summers to conduct such research.

Columbia University

The minimum GPA to apply is a 3.0, but it is preferred that applicants have a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA.

University of California, Berkeley

If you have recently received an academic degree or have recent academic experience, it is preferred that both letters of recommendation be from faculty.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was preferred that", ensure the context clearly indicates who held the preference and why. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it was preferred that" without specifying who held the preference. For example, instead of "It was preferred that the report be submitted early", clarify: "The manager preferred that the report be submitted early."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was preferred that" functions as a modal expression indicating a recommendation or preference. Ludwig examples show its use in academic, scientific, and general contexts, suggesting a desired action or state. It introduces a clause specifying what was favored or considered best.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

Academia

32%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

News & Media

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was preferred that" serves to express a recommendation or a past preference. Ludwig indicates that this phrase, deemed grammatically correct, is used across various domains, including science, academia, and news, but is more common in scientific sources. To enhance clarity, it's crucial to specify who held the preference. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "it was recommended that" or "it was suggested that" can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was advisable that

Replaces "preferred" with "advisable", suggesting a recommendation based on prudence.

it was desirable that

Substitutes "preferred" with "desirable", indicating something is wanted or wished for.

it was suggested that

Uses "suggested" instead of "preferred", conveying a milder recommendation.

it was recommended that

Employs "recommended" instead of "preferred", implying a formal endorsement.

the preference was for

Changes the structure to emphasize the preference itself, rather than the action.

the favored option was

Uses "favored option" to specify the preferred choice among alternatives.

ideally, it should be

Shifts to an adverbial phrase indicating what is considered optimal.

it would be better if

Expresses preference by indicating an improved scenario.

it was deemed best that

Replaces "preferred" with "deemed best", suggesting a judgment of superiority.

it was chosen that

Uses "chosen" instead of "preferred", conveying a deliberate selection.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was preferred that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it was recommended that" or "it was suggested that". These alternatives provide a similar meaning while maintaining a higher level of formality.

Is there a difference between "it was preferred that" and "it was preferable that"?

While both phrases convey a sense of recommendation, "it was preferred that" indicates a choice already made, while "it was preferable that" suggests something is generally more desirable.

What are some alternatives to "it was preferred that" in academic writing?

In academic writing, you could use phrases such as "it was advisable that", "it was desirable that", or simply restructure the sentence to be more direct.

How to use "it was preferred that" in a sentence?

You can use "it was preferred that" to express a past preference or recommendation. For instance: "It was preferred that patients completed the measures in the clinic."