must be preferred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be preferred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is recommended or favored over other options. Example: "In this situation, the more sustainable option must be preferred to ensure environmental protection."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

A very common assumption is that a rational preference ordering must be transitive (i.e., if A is preferred to B, and B is preferred to C, then A must be preferred to C. See the entry on preferences (Hansson and Grüne-Yanoff 2009) for an extended discussion of the rationale behind this assumption).

SEP

Likewise, preferences must be complete: for any two options, either one must be preferred to the other, or the agent must be indifferent between them (since of their two utilities, either one must be greater or the two must be equal).

SEP

Autologous saphenous vein must be preferred for infrainguinal bypass, especially for limb salvage and in the infrapopliteal region.

Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences

The Idaho courts denied her claim, because of a state law that said "males must be preferred to females" in such disputes.

The New Yorker

One crucial case was Reed v. Reed, in which the court unanimously struck down an Idaho law stipulating that "males must be preferred to females" in administering estates.

The Washington Post

A very great physicist, Richard Feynmann, said that when a model comes up against measurements that contradict it, it is the measurements that must be preferred and the model must be abandoned or changed.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

If another kind of charge be contemplated, when and by whom must it be preferred?

Cornell University

However, this does not mean that difficulty ratings must always be preferred over frequency ratings.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

However, if the missing data are suspected to be MNAR, RAS-R or NOIMP might be preferred (and LD must be avoided), but it seems sensible to realize the analysis only if a small number of missing data (π = 10%) is present.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

If such other studies are to be preferred to a systematic review, then supportive arguments must be provided.

BMC Medical Ethics

Such extrapolations must be performed with caution and direct measurements of 5-HT in the brain should be preferred.

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be preferred", ensure that the context clearly establishes the criteria for preference. For example, specify the factors that make one option more desirable than others.

Common error

Avoid using "must be preferred" without providing a clear and logical rationale. Overusing strong language without support can weaken your argument and make it seem biased.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be preferred" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express a strong recommendation or necessity. Ludwig AI highlights its use in contexts where a particular choice is highly advisable or virtually required based on specific criteria. For example, autologous saphenous vein must be preferred for infrainguinal bypass, especially for limb salvage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must be preferred" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to convey a strong recommendation or necessity. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's frequently found in scientific, academic, and news contexts. The phrase often serves to persuade or strongly advise, emphasizing that a specific choice is critical for achieving a particular outcome. While versatile, it's best used when there's a clear and justifiable reason for the preference, avoiding overuse in subjective or unsupported contexts. Alternatives such as "should be favored" or "ought to be chosen" can provide nuanced variations in meaning and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be favored

Indicates a recommendation, less forceful than "must".

ought to be chosen

Expresses a moral or logical obligation, similar to "must" but slightly more formal.

is the advisable option

Focuses on providing advice, less direct than "must".

is the superior choice

Highlights the higher quality of one option.

is the recommended alternative

Suggests an alternative that is officially endorsed.

is the better selection

Emphasizes the improved quality of the selection.

is the optimal solution

Highlights that this is the best solution.

is the ideal pick

Emphasizes that the selection is suitable.

demands prioritization

Focuses on the need for prioritization.

warrants preference

Indicates a justified reason for preference.

FAQs

How can I use "must be preferred" in a sentence?

Use "must be preferred" to express a strong recommendation based on specific criteria. For example, "In this situation, the sustainable option "must be preferred" to ensure environmental protection".

What are some alternatives to "must be preferred"?

Alternatives include "should be favored", "ought to be chosen", or "is the recommended alternative", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it always appropriate to use "must be preferred"?

While grammatically correct, "must be preferred" should be used judiciously. It's most appropriate when there's a clear and compelling reason why one option is significantly better than others. Avoid using it when the preference is subjective or lacks strong justification.

What's the difference between "should be preferred" and "must be preferred"?

"Should be preferred" indicates a recommendation, while "must be preferred" indicates a stronger necessity or obligation. The choice depends on the strength of the reason for preferring one option over another.