preferred him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preferred him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a choice or favoritism towards someone over others. Example: "In the team selection, the coach preferred him for the starting position due to his exceptional skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Sadly for the automotive sisterhood, it preferred him.

Independent

I preferred him when he played a few shots.

The Guardian - Sport

I would have preferred him to face justice.

The Guardian

However, they still preferred him to Barack Obama.

The Guardian

"In fact, I preferred him all along," he said.

The New York Times

Voters who were better-off, college educated and devout preferred him too.

The Economist

(I preferred him as an essayist, particularly in his last collection, "Forewords and Afterwords").

The New Yorker

He lost patience and called her, though he knew she preferred him to text.

The New Yorker

Indeed, economic woes provide the third explanation why disillusioned voters preferred him to the centre-left.

The Economist

"Had he been more experienced, I might have preferred him less," Mr. Vidal said.

The New York Times

I preferred him before, when he was a stroppy loser … not really.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preferred him" to clearly indicate a choice or favor toward a specific person over others, especially when contrasting options or making comparisons. Ensure the context provides clarity on why this preference exists.

Common error

Avoid using "preferred him" in situations where the preference isn't clearly defined or contrasted with alternatives, as this can create ambiguity and weaken the statement's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preferred him" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past action of choosing or favoring someone over others. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used. This phrase typically appears within a clause that describes a decision or inclination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "preferred him" is a grammatically sound and common verb phrase used to express a past preference. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. It appears most frequently in news and media sources, with neutral formality. When writing, ensure the context clearly defines the basis for the preference. Alternatives like "favored him" or "chose him" can be used to add nuance. Avoiding ambiguous or undefined preferences will strengthen your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

favored him

Emphasizes a stronger inclination or partiality towards the person.

chose him

Focuses on the act of selecting him over others.

selected him

Implies a more formal or deliberate decision to pick him.

leaned towards him

Indicates a tendency or inclination in his direction.

was more inclined to him

A more verbose way of expressing a preference.

had a preference for him

Highlights the existence of a pre-existing liking.

found him more appealing

Focuses on the attractiveness or desirability of the person.

thought better of him

Implies a higher opinion or estimation of his qualities.

held him in higher regard

Suggests a deeper level of respect or admiration.

gave him preference

Highlights the action of prioritizing him.

FAQs

How can I use "preferred him" in a sentence?

The phrase "preferred him" indicates a choice or inclination towards someone. For example, "The coach "preferred him" for the starting lineup due to his experience".

What are some alternatives to saying "preferred him"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "favored him", "chose him", or "selected him".

Is it grammatically correct to say "preferred him"?

Yes, the phrase "preferred him" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express a preference for one person over another.

What's the difference between "preferred him" and "prefers him"?

"Preferred him" is in the past tense, indicating a past preference, while "prefers him" is in the present tense, indicating a current preference. For example, "She "preferred him" last year, but now she prefers someone else".