preferred to discuss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preferred to discuss" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating a choice or inclination to have a conversation about a specific topic. Example: "I would have preferred to discuss the project details in person rather than over email."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

In the case under discussion, adopters preferred to discuss mainly within the community members rather than discussing with outsiders of the municipality or with the NGO workers (Fig. 10).

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Above anyone else, they preferred to discuss such issues with their friends, as clearly emerged from the group discussions: M: Who do you prefer to discuss your sexual health with?

BMC Public Health

Some residents either did not or could not engage in meaningful discussions about their experiences of health and illness and often preferred to discuss their families or previous major life events.

BMC Geriatrics

Instead, he said, Israel preferred to discuss community events.

The New Yorker

And before praising Woods's work ethic, Palmer preferred to discuss Woods's swing and his consistency.

The New York Times - Sports

She preferred to discuss the logistics of their meeting, a subject that John approached hesitantly.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Most patients with a life-limiting illness prefer to discuss their preferences for end-of-life care relatively early in the course of their illness, as these discussions are less stressful when the patient is feeling relatively well [ 31].

BMC Palliative Care

Lin Chu remained quiet for the most part during the discussion of her grandson's identity, preferring to discuss his basketball abilities.

The New York Times - Sports

What else would he prefer to discuss? we asked.

The New York Times

Churchill prefers to discuss form or effects in rehearsal, rather than meaning.

The Guardian

H.P. deflects talk about the cost of ink, preferring to discuss carbon footprints.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preferred to discuss" to clearly indicate a choice in topic or method of communication. For example, "She "preferred to discuss" her findings in person."

Common error

Avoid using "preferred to discuss" in extremely formal or academic writing where more sophisticated synonyms like "elected to deliberate" or "opted to examine" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preferred to discuss" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past preference for engaging in conversation or deliberation about a particular subject. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "preferred to discuss" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a past preference for engaging in conversation about a specific topic. According to Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general communication. While alternatives like "would rather discuss" offer similar meanings, "preferred to discuss" maintains a neutral tone, making it versatile for different writing styles. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the overall formality of your text and consider more sophisticated synonyms for highly formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would rather discuss

Emphasizes a stronger preference or choice in discussing something.

inclined to discuss

Highlights a tendency or leaning toward discussing something.

favored discussing

Indicates a partiality or advantage in discussing something.

chose to discuss

Focuses on the conscious decision to discuss something.

preferred having a discussion about

More explicitly frames the preference as being about the whole discussion itself.

selected to discuss

Highlights a deliberate selection of a topic for discussion.

leaned towards discussing

Suggests a slight preference or inclination to discuss something.

gravitated towards discussing

Implies a natural or inherent attraction to discussing something.

found it better to discuss

Highlights the assessment that discussing something is the better option.

felt it was preferable to discuss

Emphasizes a feeling or sense that discussing something is more desirable.

FAQs

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

You can use "preferred to discuss" to express a choice or inclination toward a specific topic. Example: "The committee "preferred to discuss" the budget first."

What are some alternatives to "preferred to discuss"?

Alternatives include "would rather discuss", "inclined to discuss", or "favored discussing", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "preferred to discuss"?

Yes, "preferred to discuss" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard pattern of "prefer" followed by an infinitive verb.

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

"Preferred to discuss" indicates a general preference, while "would rather discuss" suggests a stronger, more immediate preference in a specific situation.