my general preference is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my general preference is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a broad or overall inclination towards something, often in a context where choices or options are being discussed. Example: "My general preference is to work in a collaborative environment where ideas can be freely exchanged."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Having spoken to a number of recruiting managers on this subject, their general preference is to appoint someone with experience in this or a related sector rather than someone who is fresh out of university with a masters; although they do recognise that someone with experience and a masters will probably have a head-start over a candidate with no postgraduate qualification.

The Guardian

In general, Preference is the original signal, x(n).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

He says that while the Collective's general preference is to embrace open source as much as possible, at some point, projects must become products in order to generate revenue and fuel further efforts.

TechCrunch

The Warmly app costs $1.99, which Kumpf says they believe is justified, since "if it's not worth the price of a cup of coffee, [they] aren't doing their jobs". He says that while the Collective's general preference is to embrace open source as much as possible, at some point, projects must become products in order to generate revenue and fuel further efforts.

TechCrunch

"The general preference is still to hire someone who hasn't broken the law, but the harsh reality is..

Los Angeles Times

Because of widespread sale of neutral-flavoured cottonseed oil products over many years, a general preference was developed for odourless and tasteless fats.

Britannica

Party officials and strategists who would not speak publicly to avoid interceding in the case said the general preference was for Mr. Fossella to not seek re-election in November but to finish his term and avoid yet another special election in potentially difficult political territory.

The New York Times

The reasons for this general preference are unclear, but sleeping on the right side may reduce the weight stress on the heart, and the heartbeat is not as loud as when sleeping on the left.

Huffington Post

The feedback from the first two evaluations had suggested that the general preference was for each of the visualizations to provide the underlying trend or usual template as a solid line and superimpose the actual data as points.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

These general preferences were confirmed by restricting the analysis to CIS genes in vitro and in vivo from PBL-GT and HSC-GT (Fig S2 of Supporting Information).

EMBO Molecular Medicine

In general, the preference is to take such a logical grouping and classify it as a discrete unit in the Code, such as classifying an act containing multiple titles to a new chapter containing multiple subchapters.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "my general preference is" when you want to express a broad inclination without needing to justify the specific reasons behind it. It is suitable for scenarios where detailed explanations are unnecessary.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of "my general preference is" in formal documents can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms like "I usually prefer" or "I tend to favor" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my general preference is" functions as a declarative statement expressing a speaker's or writer's overall inclination or favored option. Given the lack of examples, Ludwig AI suggests this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "my general preference is" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-registered way to express a broad inclination or favored option. Ludwig AI indicates that it is usable in written English. While suitable for various contexts, varying your sentence structure with synonyms like "I usually prefer" or "I tend to favor" can enhance your writing style, especially in formal settings. This phrase is missing real-world examples in the provided data, so its frequency and contextual usage patterns cannot be definitively determined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I usually prefer

Replaces "my general preference is" with a more common and slightly less formal expression of habit or usual choice.

I tend to favor

Indicates a leaning towards something, similar to a preference, but can suggest a more reasoned decision.

I generally favor

Similar to 'I tend to favor' but emphasizes the overall inclination rather than a specific instance.

My inclination is towards

A more formal way of expressing a preference, highlighting a natural tendency.

I am generally inclined to

A formal construction expressing a disposition or willingness towards something.

I typically prefer

Highlights the typical nature of the preference, focusing on routine or habit.

My default choice is

Indicates a pre-selected option or a choice made in the absence of specific considerations.

I gravitate towards

Suggests a natural attraction or pull towards something, implying less conscious decision-making.

My go-to option is

An informal way to describe a frequently chosen or reliable option.

I'm partial to

Indicates a fondness or liking for something, implying an emotional connection rather than a strictly rational choice.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "my general preference is" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "My inclination is towards", or "I am generally inclined to". These options add a layer of sophistication to your writing.

Is it correct to say "my general preference are"?

No, the correct phrasing is "my general preference is" because "preference" is singular in this context. You're expressing a single, overall inclination.

What's the difference between "my general preference is" and "I usually prefer"?

"My general preference is" states a broad inclination, while "I usually prefer" indicates a habit or typical choice. The former is more of a declared stance, the latter, a description of behavior.

Can I use "my general preference is" in academic writing?

Yes, you can, but be mindful of the context. While grammatically correct, in some academic contexts, stating evidence-based reasoning may be more suitable than stating a "general preference". Consider more formal alternatives if needed.