order of preference

USAGE SUMMARY

"order of preference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a hierarchy of preferences or a ranking of choices. For example, "The applicant ranked their course preferences in order of preference, with the top choice being the postgraduate program in mathematics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

In Wales, parents give their preferred schools in order of preference.

BBC

The order of preference was reversed.

The New Yorker

Listed in order of preference.

The New York Times - Food

Rank these in order of preference.

The New York Times

Joe Drape listed the horses in order of preference.

The New York Times

These six wines are listed in order of preference.

The New York Times - Style

The following wines are listed in order of preference.

The New York Times - Food

These six bottles are listed in order of preference.

The New York Times - Food

Listed in order of preference in each category.

The New York Times - Food

The six wines here are listed in order of preference.

The New York Times - Food

Impressions of three hyperconvenience foods follow, in order of preference.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting multiple options, use "order of preference" to clearly communicate the ranking based on specific criteria, such as importance, desirability, or suitability.

Common error

Avoid using "order of preference" when simply listing items without indicating a clear ranking or prioritization. Use it only when there's a defined hierarchy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "order of preference" functions as a noun phrase, often used adverbially to modify verbs indicating arrangement or selection. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it specifies how choices or options are to be organized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "order of preference" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that signifies a ranking based on liking or importance. Ludwig's AI confirms its usability, with examples spanning news, science, and formal business contexts. To ensure clarity, use it only when presenting a defined hierarchy of options. While alternatives exist, "order of preference" provides a clear and direct way to communicate prioritization, suitable for neutral to professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ranking of priorities

Focuses on the ranking aspect, emphasizing the importance of each item.

hierarchy of choices

Implies a structured arrangement of options based on desirability.

list of priorities

Simple alternative that conveys a sequence of items deemed important.

scale of preference

Suggests a graded system where options are placed according to liking or priority.

prioritized sequence

Emphasizes the action of prioritizing and the resulting order.

preferred arrangement

Highlights that the ordering is based on what is liked or favored.

relative importance

Shifts focus to the comparative value of each item in the sequence.

system of prioritization

Emphasizes the methodology or process involved in creating the order.

levels of desirability

Highlights the varying attractiveness of options and how they are ordered.

sequence of favorites

Focuses on items that are liked or favored, placed in a specific order.

FAQs

How can I use "order of preference" in a sentence?

You can use "order of preference" to indicate a ranking based on importance or desirability, for example: "Please list your choices in "order of preference"."

What's a simple way to explain "order of preference"?

"Order of preference" means listing things from most to least liked or important. It's how you rank your "priorities" or choices.

Is "order of preference" the same as "priority order"?

While similar, "order of preference" often implies a subjective ranking based on liking, whereas "priority order" usually suggests a ranking based on objective importance or urgency.

What are some alternatives to "order of preference"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "ranking of priorities", "hierarchy of choices", or "list of priorities" to convey a similar meaning.