largely prefer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "largely prefer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong inclination or preference for something, indicating that while there may be some exceptions, the majority of the preference leans towards one option. Example: "In our survey, participants largely prefer online shopping over traditional retail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The mainstream women's movement largely prefer to be referred to as gender activists.

The Guardian

According to a recently completed (not yet published) social impact study funded by the World Bank, Gobi nomads would largely prefer to maintain their traditional ways.

The New York Times

In Japan, the present consumers largely prefer non-transgenic agricultural products rather than those of genetically modified plants.

Rice

While Indian POEs largely prefer to invest in developed economies for both market and strategic-asset seeking, and follow an effective portfolio matrix by concentrating diversified sectors.

Journal of Policy Modeling

Most of the guys I talked to basically came to the same conclusion, which Eliot summed up perfectly: "I largely prefer my sexual life at 32 to what I had at 22".

Vice

Most of the guys I talked to basically came to the same conclusion, which Eliot summed up perfectly: "I largely prefer my sexual life at thirty-two to what I had at twenty-two".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Largely preferring books to people around that time, I discovered that he wasn't the only one.

The New Yorker

Mr. Shani began to explore documentaries as well as the work of directors like Ken Loach, the English social realist who has made films about homelessness and working-class struggles, and who largely prefers unknown talent to established actors.

The New York Times

It is no surprise that pop largely prefers the cosy, coddled simple fun of indoors to the dark, complex, jagged edges of the outside world, but jazz, too, has lost its way.

The Guardian - Music

Windows 8, released last October, has not been well-received among consumers, and businesses have largely preferred to buy its predecessor, Windows 7, which does not offer the "tiled" appearance of its newer sibling.

The Guardian - Tech

Moreover, the Jewish community of about 3,000 people in Lima, the capital, largely preferred to ignore the Jews of Iquitos, some scholars say, in part because of the thorny issues that the Jews here posed about race and origins.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "largely prefer", ensure the context clearly indicates that while a majority favors something, exceptions or alternatives exist. This avoids overgeneralization and maintains accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "largely prefer" when the preference is nearly unanimous. Using a phrase like "almost universally prefer" or "overwhelmingly prefer" is more appropriate when there are very few exceptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "largely prefer" functions as a verb phrase indicating a general preference or inclination. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe a situation where a majority favors something, but there are exceptions. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts, such as consumer preferences and scientific observations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

10%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "largely prefer" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey a general preference or inclination, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It indicates that a majority favors something, but acknowledges the existence of exceptions. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using "largely prefer", ensure the context clearly communicates the possibility of alternatives to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "mostly prefer" or "primarily favor" can be used depending on the desired emphasis. The phrase is not overwhelmingly common but appears regularly in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mostly prefer

Replaces 'largely' with 'mostly', indicating a slightly stronger preference.

generally favor

Uses 'generally' instead of 'largely' and 'favor' instead of 'prefer', suggesting a common liking.

primarily favor

Substitutes 'largely' with 'primarily', indicating main preference but not excluding other options.

mainly choose

Replaces 'prefer' with 'choose', focusing on the selection aspect.

commonly select

Uses 'commonly' and 'select' to convey a typical choice.

typically opt for

Replaces 'prefer' with 'opt for', suggesting a standard selection.

incline towards

Indicates a leaning or tendency, not necessarily a definitive preference.

tend to prefer

Adds 'tend to' to soften the strength of the preference.

lean towards

Indicates a slight bias or inclination.

gravitate towards

Suggests a natural movement or attraction to something.

FAQs

How can I use "largely prefer" in a sentence?

Use "largely prefer" to indicate that a majority favors something, but there are exceptions. For example, "Customers "largely prefer" the updated version of the software."

What can I say instead of "largely prefer"?

You can use alternatives like "mostly prefer", "generally favor", or "primarily favor" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "largely prefer"?

Yes, "largely prefer" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that a majority has a certain preference, though not all. It's similar to saying "mostly prefer".

What's the difference between "largely prefer" and "strongly prefer"?

"Largely prefer" indicates that a majority of people favor something, while "strongly prefer" suggests a significant degree of liking or inclination towards something, regardless of whether it's a majority opinion.