preferred to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preferred to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a desire or inclination to comprehend something better or more thoroughly. Example: "In discussions about complex topics, I often find that I preferred to understand the underlying principles rather than just the surface details."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Residents preferred to understand their role clearly.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

She prefers to understand basic odour science using petunias and snap-dragons, which have about ten smelly chemicals apiece.

The Economist

For investors "who prefer to understand the value of what they own, the private equity model could hardly be less attractive," The Financial Times argues in its Lex column.

The New York Times

Cassidy prefers to understand the boom as the product of something ordinary: the individual pursuit, by millions of Americans, of their own self-interest.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Weidenfeld said he had tried not to hire anyone who'd ever paid to consume television, preferring to understand his employees' generational viewing habits as a means of learning how better to promote his shows.

The New York Times - Arts

In the novel's preface, Chabon writes, "I have stuck to facts except where facts refused to conform with memory, narrative purpose, or the truth as I prefer to understand it".

The New Yorker

Here, 'Rather than starting with an a priori definition about what is digital and what is material, we prefer to understand digital materiality as a process, and as emergent, not as an end product or finished object.

Video Journal of Education and Pedagogy

For these reasons, we prefer to understand this issue from the perspective of the context that expects health professionals to have a standard of living that cannot be met by existing social systems, sometimes to a level where they cannot even satisfy their basic needs through their public sector salary.

Human Resources for Health

If, however, you would prefer to understand the place in which you live, it is best to pick up the language.

WikiHow

She intuitively understood that I prefer to see his words on my screen than hear his voice.

The New York Times

Many of the players themselves and their international supporters now involved in the wars in and around Congo have preferred not to understand either the genocide or its perpetuation for more than a year by the UN's camps in Zaire.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "preferred to understand", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the subject is choosing to understand over something else. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

A common mistake is using "preferred to understand" without specifying what the alternative action or state is. Always clarify what is being preferred over understanding to maintain clarity and relevance. For instance, instead of saying "She preferred to understand", specify "She "preferred to understand" the underlying reasons rather than accept the superficial explanation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preferred to understand" functions as a verb phrase indicating a preference for comprehension. It highlights a deliberate choice or inclination toward gaining understanding over other alternatives. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Science & Research

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preferred to understand" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a conscious choice favoring comprehension. According to Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, though it appears more frequently in news, media and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates what the subject is choosing to understand, and what alternatives they are potentially rejecting, as Ludwig demonstrates in real-world examples. Alternatives such as "favored understanding" or "would rather understand" can provide subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

favored understanding

Replaces "preferred" with "favored", keeping a similar meaning of showing preference.

inclined to understand

Uses "inclined" instead of "preferred", suggesting a leaning towards understanding.

would rather understand

Expresses preference using "would rather", a common alternative.

chose to understand

Replaces "preferred" with "chose", indicating a selection of understanding.

prioritized understanding

Emphasizes that understanding was given higher importance.

leaned towards understanding

Indicates a tendency or inclination towards understanding.

felt it best to understand

Expresses that understanding was considered the most appropriate action.

gravitated towards understanding

Suggests a natural movement or attraction towards understanding.

found it preferable to understand

Highlights that understanding was deemed more desirable.

desired to understand

Uses "desired" to show a wish or want to understand.

FAQs

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

Use "preferred to understand" when you want to express a deliberate choice to prioritize comprehension over other actions or outcomes. For example, "He "preferred to understand" the full implications of the policy before commenting on it."

What's the difference between "preferred to understand" and "wanted to understand"?

"Preferred to understand" implies a conscious choice between understanding and another option, whereas "wanted to understand" simply indicates a desire for comprehension without necessarily implying a choice.

Are there alternatives to "preferred to understand" that sound more formal?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "prioritized understanding", "deemed it preferable to understand", or "considered it best to understand".

When is it appropriate to use "preferred to understand" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "preferred to understand" in writing when you want to emphasize the subject's conscious decision to prioritize gaining a deep comprehension of a topic or situation over another course of action. For instance, in the sentence "Residents "preferred to understand" their role clearly".