number one preference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "number one preference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the top choice or the most favored option among several alternatives. Example: "When it comes to vacation destinations, Italy is my number one preference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mobility is number one preference of pastoralists in response to seasonal changes in rainfall and fluctuation of forage resources in both study districts, which is believed to cause huge damage on livestock resources and pastoralists' livelihood if not supported by mobility.

Ecological Processes

The LSSWG's number one preference could be known by mid-2016, although a final decision will not need to be made for another year after that.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was also the number one porn preference in the US and Canadia.

Vice

The bill passed on Friday requires voters to vote one to six above the line, or number one to 12 preferences below the line.

The Guardian

The Senate voting changes require voters to vote one to six above the line, or number one to 12 preferences below the line.

The Guardian

On his preferences for his ladies' nationalities: "Aussie girls number one, English girls number two, American girls number three".

Huffington Post

Number one.

Huffington Post

Retirees' top preference for receiving extended care   When we asked all retirees who hope to remain in their own home and never move, the number one reason they state is, "I love my home".

Huffington Post

The column matrix containing all number ones may be replaced by an arbitrary (positive) preference vector, v as required.

Journal of Big Data

The changes would give people the option of choosing where their preferences go, by numbering one to six above the line on the ballot paper, or one to 12 below the line.

The Guardian

This includes the number one-hundred.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "number one preference" in a formal setting, consider whether a more concise term like "top priority" or "first choice" might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "number one preference" is understandable, overuse in formal writing can make your text sound less professional. Replace it with more formal synonyms like "primary objective" or "key focus" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "number one preference" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object, identifying the top choice or most favored option. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "number one preference" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a top choice or most favored option. While understandable and acceptable in a variety of contexts, it's important to consider the formality of the setting. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is indeed a correct and usable phrase. In professional or academic writing, synonyms such as "top priority" or "first choice" might be more appropriate. Ludwig also suggests avoiding overusing the phrase to maintain a sophisticated writing style. With its clear and direct meaning, "number one preference" remains a useful phrase in many communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first choice

Emphasizes the order of selection.

top priority

Changes the focus to the most important thing.

leading option

Highlights that it is in the lead compared to other options.

preferred alternative

More formal and emphasizes selection from a set of options.

primary desire

Shifts to a want or need.

favored selection

Emphasizes a favorable viewpoint on what is selected.

most popular choice

Highlights that it is a shared preference among others.

prime selection

Indicates a high quality choice.

best loved option

Emphasizes affection or strong liking.

chief inclination

More formal, referring to a tendency or leaning towards something.

FAQs

What does "number one preference" mean?

The phrase "number one preference" means the top choice or the most favored option among a set of possibilities.

What are some alternatives to "number one preference"?

You can use alternatives like "first choice", "top priority", or "primary desire" depending on the context.

How can I use "number one preference" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "For our vacation, Italy is our "number one preference"."

Is "number one preference" formal or informal?

The phrase is generally considered neutral, but in very formal contexts, alternatives like "primary objective" might be more suitable.