she preferred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she preferred" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It indicates that someone had a greater liking for one thing or option over another. Example: She preferred to go for a walk in the park rather than stay indoors all day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

She preferred standing, really.

The New Yorker

She preferred classic Cantonese.

The New York Times - Food

She preferred Bertie.

The New Yorker

In fact, she preferred it.

The New Yorker

But she preferred not to.

The New York Times

She preferred a "corking" story.

The New Yorker

She preferred "Mrs".

The New York Times

She preferred catching criminals.

The New York Times

Mrs. Hilgenberg realized she preferred separate rooms.

The New York Times

She preferred romaine to iceberg.

The New York Times

She preferred to live alone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure. Instead of always starting with "she", try beginning with an adverb or prepositional phrase for a more engaging style.

Common error

Avoid using "she prefers" when discussing past preferences; stick to the past tense form, "she preferred", to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she preferred" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past preference or choice made by a female subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the examples show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she preferred" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express a past preference or choice made by a female subject. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the alternative options to avoid ambiguity. Consider using synonyms like "she favored" or "she leaned towards" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she favored

Emphasizes a slightly stronger leaning or support for something.

her preference was for

A more formal way of expressing a preference.

she had a preference for

Formally states a liking for one thing over another.

she leaned towards

Indicates a tendency or inclination, but perhaps not a definitive choice.

she was partial to

Suggests a fondness or liking, often for something specific.

she gravitated towards

Suggests a natural inclination or attraction to something.

she opted for

Emphasizes a deliberate decision to select a particular option.

she had a liking for

Indicates a general positive feeling towards something.

she was inclined to

Highlights a disposition or willingness to do something.

she chose

Focuses on the act of selecting one option.

FAQs

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

Use "she preferred" to indicate that someone had a greater liking for one thing or option over another in the past. For example, "She preferred tea over coffee in the morning."

What's a more formal way to say "she preferred"?

A more formal alternative is "her preference was for". For example, "Her preference was for classical music."

Which is correct, "she preferred" or "she prefers"?

"She preferred" is used for past preferences, while "she prefers" is for current preferences. Choose the tense that matches the time frame you're discussing.

What can I say instead of "she preferred"?

You can use alternatives like "she favored", "she leaned towards", or "she opted for" depending on the context.