preferred to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"preferred to be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when expressing a preference for an action or situation over another, or when someone would rather do something than something else. Example: I generally prefer to be outside than inside.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He preferred to be called Judge.

The New York Times

Oghi preferred to be alone.

The New Yorker

He preferred to be the person talking.

The New Yorker

He preferred to be doing things.

The New York Times

He always preferred to be the mentor.

The New York Times

I would have preferred to be outside.

The New York Times

"I preferred to be killed when we were all together".

The New York Times - Magazine

Shaub said he would have preferred to be tougher.

The New Yorker

They preferred to be told what to do.

The Guardian - Sport

It was clear that he preferred to be the scrapper.

The New York Times - Magazine

I preferred to be dormant for a while.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing a conditional preference, use "would have preferred to be". For example, "I would have preferred to be informed earlier."

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses when using "preferred to be". Ensure that the tense of the verb aligns with the context of the sentence. For example, don't say "He prefers to be but yesterday he would have preferred to be somewhere else".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preferred to be" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state or action that someone favored over another. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to express a preference, evident in examples like "He preferred to be alone" or "I preferred to be outside".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preferred to be" is a versatile verb phrase used to express a preference for a particular state or action. As Ludwig AI accurately points out, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, but also appears in scientific and formal business settings. Alternatives include "would rather be" and "would prefer to be", with the latter offering a slightly more formal tone. When writing, ensure consistent tense usage to avoid confusion. Finally, Ludwig's numerous examples illustrate the phrase's widespread applicability and contextual flexibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would rather be

Indicates a stronger sense of preference, often implying a deliberate choice.

would prefer to be

More formal and polite way of expressing a preference.

would sooner be

Similar to "would rather be", but may suggest a slight sense of urgency.

favored being

Focuses on the act of favoring something, implying a past preference.

leaned towards being

Suggests a tendency or inclination towards a particular state or action.

inclined to be

Similar to "leaned towards being", indicating a predisposition.

gravitated towards being

Implies a natural or compelling attraction to a certain state.

chose to be

Highlights the decision-making process behind the preference.

elected to be

More formal than "chose to be", often used in official contexts.

desired to be

Emphasizes the wish or longing to be in a certain state.

FAQs

How can I use "preferred to be" in a sentence?

Use "preferred to be" when you want to express a preference. For example, "He "preferred to be alone" rather than surrounded by people."

What's the difference between "preferred to be" and "would rather be"?

"Preferred to be" expresses a general preference, while "would rather be" expresses a stronger, more immediate desire. For example, "I "preferred to be" at home reading, but I "would rather be" on vacation."

Are there any formal alternatives to "preferred to be"?

Yes, you can use "would prefer to be" for a more formal tone. For instance, instead of saying "She "preferred to be" addressed by her full name", you could say "She "would prefer to be" addressed by her full name".

When should I use "would have preferred to be"?

Use "would have preferred to be" to express a past preference for something that didn't happen. For example, "I "would have preferred to be" informed earlier, but it's too late now."