specific preference for

USAGE SUMMARY

"specific preference for" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
For example, "Employees should have a specific preference for the type of office chair they use."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The results also show that some species had a specific preference for color.

Acta Ecologica Sinica

First, understanding why Zika has this specific preference for stem cells could lead to enhancing the preference for GSCs and increasing the lethality of their attack.

Harvard University

This means that these enterprises show very limited signs in their mission statements of any specific preference for an ordered world.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

However, the specific preference for a single amino acid, Leu, at P2, was more striking than the case for any of the 8 other papain-family proteases recently studied in the same manner [18].

Plosone

The specific preference for motion in cardinal directions concurs with prior evidence of the classical oblique effect for direction discrimination [17], [18], where sensitivity to motion direction is higher in cardinal than in oblique directions.

Plosone

Members of different families display specific preference for substrates.

Biotechnology for Biofuels

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Further, specific information sources can target audiences with specific preferences for the attributes of energy technologies.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

A questionnaire was designed to evaluate specific preferences for PC games and applied to 94 players.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

She has, after all, seen the Internet chat rooms where men like Ron list specific preferences for SAEs (single-arm amputations above the elbow) or DAKs (double-leg amputations above the knee).

The New York Times - Books

The applied relevance of these findings is investigated in study 3 where lightness and darkness of consumables are revealed to drive gender specific preferences for foods and drinks, with the lighter consumables being female and darker ones being male preferences.

Journal of Consumer Psychology

With reference to swordtail fishes, it is unclear whether females have specific preferences for a trait (such as the sword) not possessed by the males or whether females are attracted to any tail modifications that are indicative of male viability or fertility in general (such as relatively large, brightly coloured, healthy, and vigorous males).

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "specific preference for", ensure the context clearly indicates what the preference is for. Be precise in stating the object or category of choice to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "specific preference for" when a general preference is meant. Specificity implies a clearly defined choice, so ensure the context warrants this level of detail.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "specific preference for" typically functions as a noun phrase modifier, highlighting a particular liking or choice. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It adds detail and emphasis to the type of preference being discussed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

Academia

20%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "specific preference for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for highlighting a defined choice. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is appropriate for adding detail and emphasizing the clarity of the preference. While it appears across various contexts, it's most common in scientific and academic writing, signaling a deliberate and considered tone. To enhance your writing, ensure the object of preference is clearly stated and avoid using it when a general preference is intended. Alternatives like "particular fondness for" or "distinct inclination towards" offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

particular fondness for

Replaces "preference" with "fondness", suggesting an affectionate liking.

distinct inclination towards

Substitutes "preference" with "inclination" and uses "towards" instead of "for", emphasizing a leaning or tendency.

marked predilection for

Replaces "preference" with the more formal "predilection" and adds "marked" to highlight its notability.

special liking for

Uses "liking" instead of "preference", making it slightly more informal.

pronounced affinity for

Replaces "preference" with "affinity", suggesting a natural connection or attraction.

unique partiality towards

Substitutes "preference" with "partiality", indicating a bias or favoritism.

strong leaning toward

Uses "leaning" instead of "preference", emphasizing a tendency or bias in a certain direction.

notable bias toward

Replaces "preference" with "bias", suggesting a prejudice or inclination towards something.

individualized taste for

Uses "taste" instead of "preference", indicating a personal and subjective liking.

customized choice for

Substitutes "preference" with "choice", emphasizing a conscious selection or decision.

FAQs

How can I use "specific preference for" in a sentence?

You can use "specific preference for" to indicate a particular liking or choice. For example, "The study revealed a "specific preference for" blue among children aged 5-7."

What are some alternatives to "specific preference for"?

Alternatives include "particular fondness for", "distinct inclination towards", or "marked predilection for", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "specific preference for"?

While "preference" inherently implies a choice, "specific preference for" emphasizes that the choice is well-defined and not a general inclination. The usage isn't inherently redundant if clarity or emphasis is desired.

What's the difference between "specific preference for" and "general preference for"?

"Specific preference for" indicates a clear, defined liking for a particular item or category, while "general preference for" implies a broad liking for a range of items within a category.