my first preference

USAGE SUMMARY

"my first preference" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express an opinion about what you prefer or would like to do first. For example, "My first preference is to go out to dinner, but if that's not possible, I'm ok with staying in and ordering takeout."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"My first preference is that it stays a church.

The New York Times

This morning, I actually voted for Andy Burnham as my first preference for Labour leader.

Independent

"That'd be my first preference, but we've got a guy like Vanbiesbrouck here who's going to want minutes, too.

The New York Times - Sports

To state my own views, my first preference is eurobonds; my second is Germany leaving the euro.

The Guardian - Business

"My first preference is eurobonds; my second is Germany leaving the euro," he said in his lecture, entitled: How to save the European Union from the euro crisis.

The Guardian - Business

There are plenty of valid criticisms to be made of the Labour leader, and many of them are why I didn't put him as my first preference when voting in the party's leadership contest.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

If this means I give my sixth preference to the Australian Christians, so be it.

The Guardian - Opinion

In my case, my second preference (pink paper, second column) will be for Labour's Livingstone, whose policy programme and strategic blueprint I consider superior to the Conservative Johnson's by far.

The Guardian - Opinion

A score of "2" for first preference; "1" for second preference, and the non-preferred container received a score of '0'.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Campbell received 6139 first preference votes and exceeded the quota.

The Guardian

"That would not have been our first preference," Phillips said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "my first preference" to clearly and directly state your top choice among several options. This eliminates ambiguity and provides a straightforward indication of your prioritization.

Common error

Avoid using "my first preference" when you actually mean "my top priority". Preference indicates a choice based on liking, whereas priority refers to importance. For example, "My first preference is chocolate ice cream" vs "My top priority is finishing this project."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my first preference" serves as a declarative statement indicating a person's favored option or choice among multiple possibilities. It's used to express a clear prioritization, as demonstrated by Ludwig, which confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "my first preference" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a top choice or favored option. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a correct and usable expression in English. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, it's crucial to distinguish it from similar phrases like "top priority", which emphasizes importance rather than personal inclination. The phrase is most commonly encountered in News & Media contexts. By understanding its proper usage, speakers and writers can communicate their preferences clearly and effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my top choice

Replaces "preference" with "choice" emphasizing the selection aspect.

my preferred option

Substitutes "first" with "preferred" clarifying the nature of the choice.

what I'd ideally like

Introduces a hypothetical element, focusing on the desired outcome.

my initial inclination

Highlights the spontaneous and instinctive nature of preference.

the option I favor most

Emphasizes the support for a particular choice over others.

I'd rather start with

Shifts the focus to the action of beginning with a specific choice.

I'd pick this one first

Offers a simpler, more direct way to express initial selection.

I lean towards this initially

Suggests a tentative preference at the beginning of consideration.

my primary consideration

Emphasizes the importance and weight given to a particular factor.

this is my go-to

Implies a routine preference, the option most frequently selected.

FAQs

How can I use "my first preference" in a sentence?

You can use "my first preference" to express what you would ideally choose or do among several options. For example, "My first preference is to travel to Italy, but I'm open to other destinations".

What's a more formal alternative to "my first preference"?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases like "my preferred option" or "my top choice" which convey a similar meaning with a slightly more professional tone.

Is it correct to say "my most first preference"?

No, "my most first preference" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "my first preference", as "first" already implies the highest level of preference.

How does "my first preference" differ from "my second choice"?

"My first preference" indicates what you most desire, while "my second choice" suggests an alternative option you'd be content with if your initial preference isn't possible. They represent different levels of desirability.