out of preference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'out of preference' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you have made a choice or decision based on personal preference. For example: "I usually take a taxi to work out of preference, rather than taking the bus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Ms. Wiles, who lives in downtown Manhattan out of preference, not convenience, has that part covered.

The New York Times - Arts

It sets out that all new town centre uses – which includes retail and leisure uses – should be located in existing town centres out of preference.

Independent

This is one for our books podcast audience, Could you prescribe something for poetry lovers who, for health reasons, for simply out of preference, find it easier to listen to poetry than to read it.

The Guardian - Books

But he chose slitely simply out of preference to "somewhat," he said, and he cut the gh in words like "slightly" throughout the book in order to rough up the text, as Schmidt had.

The New Yorker

She learned that the rental population comprised some upper- and middle-class households who rented out of preference or circumstance; some young and transient people; and most of the city's poor, who could not buy a home or gain access to public housing, because there wasn't enough of it.

The New Yorker

Substituting in cooking is typically fair game: Having all the exact ingredients on hand is a rarity, then there are those times when you omit something out of preference and taste--or dietary restrictions.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In reality, Hanson and One Nation did just fine out of preferences under the old system of party-controlled preferences.

The Guardian

While under asymmetric vapor incidence mode, both out-of-plane preference of < 111> direction and several in-plane preferences were developed.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Some smokers smoke milder cigarettes out of taste preference with no belief about or concerns for risk reduction.

Huffington Post

A critic can argue that the construction of preferences for the combined alternative set {⟨A,0⟩, ⟨C,10⟩, ⟨B,20⟩, ⟨A,30⟩, ⟨C,40⟩, ⟨B,50⟩…} out of preferences over the primary alternative set ({A,B,C}) should not be performed in the straightforward simple way that was indicated in the examples.

SEP

Concerning out-of-hours services, preferences for general [ 14, 15] and paediatric [ 16] out-of-hours primary care services were quantified, as well as the importance of attributes associated to emergency primary care services available during GP hours [ 17].

European Journal of Health Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "out of preference", ensure the context clearly indicates that a choice was made based on personal liking rather than necessity or obligation.

Common error

Avoid using "out of preference" when the choice is driven by external factors such as convenience or necessity; ensure it reflects a genuine personal inclination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of preference" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the reason or motivation behind an action. It clarifies that something is done because of a personal liking or choice, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "out of preference" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey that a decision or action stems from personal liking or choice. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears in various contexts, predominantly in news, media, science, and wiki articles. To ensure clarity, it's best employed when the intent is to highlight a volitional decision based on personal taste rather than external factors. Alternatives such as "due to personal inclination" or "based on individual preference" can be employed for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

because of individual preference

Directly states the reason as the person's liking for something.

based on personal choice

Emphasizes the role of individual decision-making in the selection.

due to personal inclination

Highlights the internal desire or tendency leading to the selection.

out of personal desire

Focuses on the longing or craving that motivates the selection.

from a matter of taste

Implies the selection is guided by subjective aesthetic judgment.

by personal selection

Suggests a deliberate act of choosing something for oneself.

as a matter of choice

Indicates the selection is a result of having available options.

by virtue of personal liking

Highlights the element of personal enjoyment that motivates the choice.

from individual volition

Suggests a self-initiated selection driven by one's will.

based on subjective assessment

Implicates the selection is derived from an individual's feelings.

FAQs

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

You can use "out of preference" to explain a choice made based on personal liking, as in "I chose to sit by the window "out of preference", rather than near the aisle".

What's a more formal way to say "out of preference"?

More formal alternatives include phrases like "due to personal inclination" or "based on individual preference". These options may be suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is it correct to say "out of my preference"?

While understandable, "out of my preference" is less common. It is generally better to say ""out of preference"".

What's the difference between "out of preference" and "out of necessity"?

"Out of preference" implies a choice driven by personal liking, while "out of necessity" indicates a choice made due to unavoidable circumstances.