preferable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'preferable' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express something is better or more desirable than something else. Example sentence: I prefer this movie to the last one; I found it to be much more preferable.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her posthumous fate, suggests Reid (who has no religious faith), seemed preferable to heaven or hell: My wife is in there, somewhere, doing practical work: her organs and tissues are educating young doctors or helping researchers outwit the disease that outwitted her.

The Guardian - Books

It is equally clear: evolution is definitely preferable if it is attainable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Or, as would often be preferable, I can connect remotely to my home machine when I'm traveling in order watch live programming or pre-recorded shows from a distant hotel room.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gautier was impressed by Moreau's theories, especially perhaps his description of cannabis as "an intellectual intoxication", preferable to the "ignoble heavy drunkenness" of alcohol.

The Guardian - Books

Which was bizarre to witness, admittedly, but still preferable to Kay Burley.

The Guardian

The majority of respondents felt that a better programme of training and support was necessary in order to fight this bias, with 55% favouring leadership training and development, while 43% believed that mentoring programmes were a preferable alternative.

The Guardian

"Finding the right word is tricky but as users are increasingly referring to the products as 'vapourisers' and the act of using them as 'vaping', this may be preferable", she added.

The Guardian

I kid myself that this is preferable to what I heard in my teens.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hockney supplies an idiosyncratic commentary, expounding his forthright views on everything from the state of modern art to why crinkled chips are preferable, because there's more surface area.

The Guardian - Arts

He parries any attempt to paint his life as dark or dangerous, insisting his moneyed life in London is preferable to life in the town in which he grew up, where the only thing to do is work in Tesco.

The Guardian

A recent Vox article makes the obvious point that a carbon price would be preferable to the energy regulations Obama has introduced.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "preferable", ensure the context makes clear what the alternative is. If not immediately apparent, specify the alternative for clarity.

Common error

While "preferable" is generally acceptable, overuse in highly formal or academic writing can make your tone sound repetitive. Vary your language with alternatives like "more desirable" or "more advantageous" to maintain a sophisticated and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The word "preferable" functions as an adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that something is better or more suitable compared to an alternative. Ludwig AI indicates that the term is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "preferable" is a versatile adjective used to indicate that one option is better or more suitable than another. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted. The term frequently appears in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts, making it a useful term across different types of writing. While generally neutral in tone, varying your word choice with alternatives like "more desirable" or "more advantageous" can add sophistication to your writing, especially in highly formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more desirable

Focuses on the desirability aspect, emphasizing that something is wanted or wished for more than another.

better suited

Highlights the suitability of something for a particular purpose or situation, implying it's more appropriate.

more advantageous

Emphasizes the benefits and positive outcomes associated with choosing one option over another.

superior option

Directly states that one choice is of higher quality or effectiveness compared to others.

a wiser course of action

Suggests that one choice demonstrates better judgment and intelligence.

a cut above

An informal way of saying something is noticeably better than the alternative.

the favorable choice

Highlights the positive aspects and potential benefits associated with a particular selection.

the optimal solution

Emphasizes that something is the best possible answer or approach to a problem.

the go-to option

Suggests that one choice is the most common or reliable solution.

the pick of the bunch

An idiomatic expression emphasizing that something is the best among a group of similar items.

FAQs

How do I use "preferable" in a sentence?

Use "preferable" to indicate that one thing is better or more suitable than another. For example, "A diplomatic solution is "preferable" to military action."

What can I say instead of "preferable"?

You can use alternatives such as "more desirable", "better suited", or "more advantageous", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "more preferable"?

While some may consider "more preferable" redundant, it is sometimes used for emphasis. However, using just "preferable" is generally "preferable" for conciseness and clarity.

What is the difference between "preferable" and "preferred"?

"Preferable" describes something that is generally better or more suitable, while "preferred" indicates something that is chosen or liked more by a specific person or group. For example, "A shorter commute is "preferable"," versus "My "preferred" method of transportation is biking."