our liking

USAGE SUMMARY

"our liking" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express preference or approval regarding something. Example: "The design was tailored to our liking." Alternative expressions include "to our taste" and "to our preference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And, if there is a deeper reason for our liking, it is that such likings help make communities; we find our social selves by participating in the lek.

The New Yorker

We want our leaders to manipulate reality to our liking.

The New York Times

This square is too boxed-in for our liking.

The Guardian - Film

He was an unusually thorough man, at times too thorough for our liking.

Independent

"We have to reimagine the city to our liking and that's what I'm trying to do".

The Guardian - Travel

'Lumbersexual' This term is taking off far too easily for our liking.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We dipped our toe in the water and it wasn't to our liking".

The Guardian - Sport

We would never have admitted that class played any part in our liking for Kennedy.

The New Yorker

Would we embrace a Cromwell if he could fix our messes, or mold the world to our liking?

The New Yorker

"We will always be in it, but unfortunately it's a big gap, getting too big for our liking.

Independent

"I know we'd get favorable conditions on a track that is more to our liking," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "our liking" when you want to express that something aligns with the collective preferences or tastes of a group. For example, "The renovations were done to our liking, reflecting our shared vision for the space."

Common error

While "our liking" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "our preference" or "to our satisfaction" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "our liking" functions as a determiner followed by a gerund, acting as a noun phrase. This noun phrase typically serves as an object or complement, indicating alignment with the preferences of a group. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "our liking" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates something is in accordance with a group's preferences or tastes. As Ludwig AI points out, it functions as a determiner followed by a gerund. While generally neutral in register, it's best to consider the context when choosing between "our liking" and more formal alternatives like "our preference" in professional settings. Its frequent presence in news and media sources further underscores its common usage in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our preference

Focuses on a conscious choice or favored option.

to our taste

Emphasizes aesthetic or sensory approval.

as we like it

Highlights the freedom to customize something according to personal desires.

what we prefer

Simple and direct way of stating a preference.

in accordance with our wishes

Formal way to express alignment with personal desires.

to our satisfaction

Indicates that something meets expectations or desires.

the way we want it

Focuses on achieving a desired state or outcome.

as per our desire

A more formal way to say 'according to our wishes'.

meeting our standards

Highlights the fulfillment of specific requirements or expectations.

what appeals to us

Expresses that something is attractive or pleasing.

FAQs

How can I use "our liking" in a sentence?

You can use "our liking" to indicate that something is done or made according to your group's preferences. Example: "The chef prepared the dish exactly to "our liking"."

What phrases are similar to "our liking"?

Similar phrases include "our preference", "to "our taste"", and "to our satisfaction".

Is it correct to say "to our liking"?

Yes, "to our liking" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It means 'according to our preferences or tastes'.

What's the difference between "our liking" and "our preference"?

"Our liking" generally refers to something that pleases us, while "our preference" suggests a conscious choice or favored option. They are often interchangeable, but "our preference" might be more suitable in formal contexts.