special preference

USAGE SUMMARY

"special preference" is a perfectly valid phrase in English.
You can use it to describe when someone is given preferential treatment over others, such as in the example sentence, "The company offers its best customers a special preference on certain products."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But the government gave special preference to certain publishers for these projects".

The New Yorker

In New York State, special preference for women is a more complicated issue.

The New York Times

Mr. Williamson said at the time that Cintra got no special preference.

The New York Times

If your health-related goal doesn't have special preference, it may fail you.

Harvard University

Nearly three-fourths of the products from Central America already enter the United States duty free under special preference programs.

The New York Times

Mr. Snow said the program would now give special preference to projects in areas affected by the hurricane.

The New York Times

"And selling access is not qualitatively different from giving special preference to those who spent money on one's behalf".

The New York Times

Mr. Codrington said that the student passed the objective criteria for admission and received no special preference.

The New York Times

Females tend to stay further away from human activities, whereas males did not have a special preference.

Procedia Environmental Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I would prefer not to harp on my highly special preferences and distastes.

The New York Times

We don't represent people trying to get quotas or set-asides or special preferences.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing policies or regulations, use "special preference" to clearly indicate that a group or entity receives advantages not available to others.

Common error

In scenarios where impartiality is key, avoid using "special preference" as it can suggest bias and undermine the perceived fairness of a process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "special preference" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. Ludwig examples confirm that the phrase is used to denote a particular advantage or favor given to someone or something. It's a common way to describe situations where one entity is treated more favorably than others.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "special preference" is a common noun phrase used to denote an advantage or favor given to someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. While "special preference" is generally acceptable, it's important to consider the ethical implications of preferential treatment and choose words thoughtfully to avoid suggesting bias. Alternatives include "preferential treatment" and "favoritism", but these may carry slightly different connotations. Ultimately, understanding the context and register is key to using "special preference" effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preferential treatment

Focuses on the act of treating someone more favorably, similar to giving "special preference".

favoritism

Implies showing bias towards someone or something, akin to having a "special preference".

partiality

Suggests a leaning or inclination towards one side or option, similar to a "special preference".

specific liking

Emphasizes a particular fondness or enjoyment, close to having a "special preference".

particular inclination

Highlights a specific tendency or leaning, similar to a "special preference" but more nuanced.

distinctive penchant

Emphasizes a unique or strong liking, akin to having a notable "special preference".

marked predilection

Focuses on a noticeable or strong preference, comparable to a significant "special preference".

unique favoritism

Underlines the unusual or distinct nature of the favoritism, similar to emphasizing the singularity of a "special preference".

discernible bias

Indicates a clear and noticeable bias, which can be similar to acting on a "special preference".

preference

A more general term that indicates a choice or inclination without specifying the degree of emphasis, whereas "special preference" denotes a stronger emphasis on that inclination.

FAQs

How can I use "special preference" in a sentence?

You can use "special preference" to indicate that someone or something is given preferential treatment or a specific advantage. For example, "The company offers its employees "special preference" when applying for internal positions".

What's the difference between "preference" and "special preference"?

"Preference" indicates a general liking or choice, while "special preference" implies a stronger, more significant inclination or advantage. "Special preference" suggests a deliberate act of favoring someone or something.

What can I say instead of "special preference"?

You can use alternatives like "preferential treatment", "favoritism", or "partiality" depending on the specific context.

Is giving "special preference" always ethical?

The ethics of giving "special preference" depend on the context. It can be justifiable in some situations, such as affirmative action programs designed to address historical disadvantages. However, it can be considered unethical if it leads to unfair discrimination or cronyism.