prefer requiring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prefer requiring" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where one expresses a preference for something that necessitates a requirement, but it is not commonly used. Example: "I prefer requiring all team members to submit their reports by Friday."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But there are some reasons to prefer requiring the account of creation itself to imply this unique role.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He supported the 2005 policy but said he preferred requiring universities to survey men's interests as well.

The New York Times - Sports

That there are, inevitably, different hypotheses about human beings to which the present one is to be preferred requires that the argument incorporate a hypothetic inference.

SEP

There is not much I can do about existing perceptions or what the hiring managers prefer or require, I can only re-direct my approach, choose to work in a different field, work hard to find jobs in an industry or company that values my diversity and just keep moving.

The Guardian - Opinion

Windows Mobile certainly isn't our favorite OS (and to make things worse, it's 6.1 rather than the newer 6.5), but a lot of IT departments still prefer and/or require it.

TechCrunch

The FDPIR grocery-like sites that native advocates would prefer would require additional funding and infrastructure, which aren't expected anytime soon, Hipp said.

Huffington Post

Moreover, it is reasonable to assume that different people prefer and require different levels of preventive activities.

BMC Geriatrics

Since the 1970s, during a time of increase in the routine use of technology during labour, alternative birth settings for low-risk women have been established in or near conventional labour wards for the care of pregnant women who prefer and require little or no medical intervention during labour [ 9].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Many corporate management schemes prefer or require an MBA.

WikiHow

Those who prefer or require it may see a home address as a sign of stability and may even discard resumes that lack home addresses on the basis that such an applicant is making it "seem like there is something to hide" from the company.

WikiHow

As above; the others don't exclude subjects, although they may have preferred or required subjects.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "prefer requiring" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more conventional alternatives such as "favor mandating" or "choose to require" for better readability and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Using "prefer requiring" can sound unnatural. Instead of directly combining "prefer" with a gerundive form of "require", restructure the sentence for clarity, such as "I prefer that we require..." or "I prefer to require...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prefer requiring" attempts to combine a verb of preference with a gerund acting as a direct object. However, this construction is not standard and sounds awkward. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase may cause confusion, suggesting the need for clearer alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prefer requiring" is grammatically unconventional and not widely used. While the examples provided by Ludwig show its existence in various contexts, it is advisable to use clearer and more standard alternatives, such as "favor mandating" or "choose to require". The awkwardness of the phrase stems from the direct combination of "prefer" with a gerund, which often leads to confusion and reduced readability. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, suggesting that restructuring the sentence is preferable for better clarity. Therefore, avoiding this phrase in formal writing and opting for more established constructions is recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

favor mandating

Replaces "prefer" with "favor" for a stronger emphasis on approval, and "requiring" with "mandating" to denote a formal demand.

choose to require

Replaces "prefer" with "choose" to emphasize the act of selection, keeping "require" to maintain the sense of necessity.

would rather require

Uses "would rather" for a softer expression of preference, maintaining "require" for the necessary action.

lean towards requiring

Expresses a tendency to prefer, using "lean towards" to soften the preference, while keeping "require" for the necessity.

prefer to mandate

Changes the structure to "prefer to" + verb, using "mandate" to emphasize a formal command.

opt to require

Uses "opt" to suggest a deliberate choice, maintaining "require" for the essential action.

deem it preferable to require

Adds formality and distance by using "deem it preferable", emphasizing a judgment of preference before the requirement.

find it preferable to require

Similar to "deem it preferable", but slightly less formal and more about personal inclination.

favor the imposition of

More formal and emphasizes the act of imposing a requirement.

advocate requiring

Uses "advocate" to suggest a public endorsement of requiring something, which adds a layer of active support.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "prefer requiring" to sound more natural?

Consider alternatives like "favor mandating", "choose to require", or restructuring the sentence as "I prefer that we require..." depending on the specific context.

Is "prefer requiring" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "prefer requiring" is not a common or stylistically preferred construction. It's generally better to use clearer alternatives for improved readability.

What's a more formal way to say "prefer requiring"?

For a more formal tone, consider "deem it preferable to require" or "favor the imposition of". These options add distance and formality to the expression of preference.

In what contexts might "prefer requiring" be acceptable?

Although generally discouraged, "prefer requiring" might be used in informal contexts where brevity is prioritized. However, even in informal settings, consider whether a clearer alternative would improve communication.