preferences

USAGE SUMMARY

"preferences" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you are describing someone's personal choices or opinions. Example sentence: "He has his own preferences when it comes to choosing a restaurant to eat at."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The graph reveals different intensities in his communications with various students, for example, which might reflect their different communication preferences (maybe they prefer face-to-face talks rather than email), or it might indicate that some are getting more supervisory attention than others.

The Guardian - Tech

A preference for DiCaprio, though, isn't simply hormonal downtime – who you'd prefer when you're not choosing for genes – but rather an indication of preferences in the longer term.

The Guardian - Film

"This often happens following bilaterals, sometimes due to language preferences or protocols such as being able to cover broader international issues beyond the content of the bilateral," he said in a statement.

The Guardian

When it comes to living arrangements, everyone has different preferences so it's worth talking with your son or daughter about what's important to them.

The Guardian

Speaking to the university accommodation office and searching online can help students match their accommodation to their preferences.

The Guardian

Booking is mandatory: you discuss food preferences and after that, Gome does his mind-blowing thing.

The Guardian - Travel

5 We may use 'Flash' cookies to store your preferences for your media player (for example, volume and so on).

The Guardian

And it is always hard to trim tax expenditures such as the mortgage interest deduction and state and local tax preferences – especially now, at a moment when the economy is still recovering from a housing-led downturn and state and local governments still face significant deficits that need to be closed.

The Guardian

The new site has been designed to be visually compelling, with a focus on innovative design, and has also been built around the needs and preferences of Guardian readers.

The Guardian

It said this would acknowledge that some forms of communications data could reveal private information about a person's habits, preferences or lifestyle choices, such as websites visited.

The Guardian

"Clive Palmer - a coal miner - preferences the Greens ahead of my running mate in South Australia," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing user interfaces or software, use "preferences" to refer to customizable settings that allow users to tailor the application to their needs. For example, 'Users can adjust their notification preferences in the settings menu.'

Common error

Avoid using "preferences" when you actually mean "prejudices". "Preferences" are about tastes and choices, while "prejudices" are preconceived, often negative, judgments. Ensure your word choice reflects the intended meaning to avoid misrepresentation.

Linguistic Context

The word "preferences" functions primarily as a noun, typically in its plural form, denoting a range of selections, inclinations, or priorities held by an individual or a group. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts, referring to personal tastes, system settings, and political choices.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preferences" is a versatile noun denoting choices, tastes, or priorities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely applicable. Predominantly found in News & Media, its usage spans from personal tastes to system settings and political leanings. While synonyms like "tastes" or "inclinations" exist, choosing "preferences" accurately conveys the idea of a range of selections or priorities. Remember to distinguish it from "prejudices" to avoid miscommunication. Its frequent and varied usage underscores its importance in effectively communicating individual or collective inclinations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

personal tastes

Focuses specifically on individual likes and dislikes.

individual inclinations

Emphasizes a natural tendency or urge towards something.

preferred alternatives

Focuses on the choices that are favored over others.

chosen options

Highlights the act of selecting preferred choices.

favorite selections

Suggests a fondness for particular items or choices.

desired settings

Applies mainly to configurable options in software or devices.

personal priorities

Highlights what someone considers most important.

particular favorites

Emphasizes specific items that are highly favored.

distinctive likings

Implies unique and noticeable preferences.

unique inclinations

Focuses on habits and biases of the subject.

FAQs

How do I use "preferences" in a sentence?

You can use "preferences" to describe someone's tastes, choices, or priorities. For example, "He has strong preferences when it comes to coffee" or "The system allows users to customize their preferences".

What's a good synonym for "preferences"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms like "tastes", "inclinations", "priorities", or "choices".

Is it correct to say "preference" instead of "preferences"?

Yes, but it depends on the context. "Preference" is singular and refers to a single choice or liking, while "preferences" is plural and refers to multiple choices or a general set of likings.

How does "preferences" differ from "priorities"?

"Preferences" generally refer to likes and dislikes, while "priorities" refer to what someone considers most important. You might prefer tea over coffee, but your priority is staying hydrated.