state your preference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "state your preference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to express their choice or opinion regarding options available to them. Example: "Please state your preference for the meeting time so we can schedule accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Make sure you state your preference at the start.

The New York Times

Chicken with hot red pepper, the meat diced small either on or off the bone (state your preference with the waiter), arrives steaming with the breath of the peppers' heat.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

State your preferences and needs factually, repeatedly and without backing down.

WikiHow

I have no problem with you stating your preference and your reasons for preferring this interpretation, but do focus on this as one of multiple explanations and give fair treatment to multiple points of view.

eLife

Whether you're looking for "Mr. Right" or "Mr. Yea Daddy Right There" but I can't help but notice that a lot of you get lost, like... really lost, when it comes to stating your preferences properly.

Huffington Post

Your actions, in other words, are said to reveal your "true" preferences, even if you tell a researcher that you would rather be spending more time with your children (what is known as your "stated" preference).To counter such Panglossian logic, Lord Layard draws upon the findings of behavioural economists, who make use of the insights and techniques of psychologists.

The Economist

What is most important here is his response to your stated preference.

Huffington Post

Depending on your State and the preferences of the local judge the child might actually have a say.

WikiHow

In each case, they would state their preference.

The Guardian - Books

Does he ever state a preference for form or length?

The New Yorker

All five performances are terrific; it's hard to state a preference.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional emails, this phrase is excellent for scheduling or choosing between project directions because it is direct yet polite.

Common error

Avoid using "state your preference" if the option is actually mandatory or if there is no real choice involved. Using it in such cases can mislead the audience into thinking they have more agency than they actually do.

Linguistic Context

This is an imperative verb phrase or a transitive verb phrase used to request information. In Ludwig, it frequently functions as a direct instruction to a reader or listener, urging them to make a selection from available options.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "state your preference" is a highly effective and grammatically correct phrase for requesting a choice. According to Ludwig AI, it is particularly prevalent in News & Media and Scientific writing, where precision is paramount. While the exact phrase count is low, its variations are common in high-authority sources like The New York Times and The Economist. It serves as a polite yet firm way to elicit a decision, making it a valuable tool for both professional correspondence and formal documentation. Writers should favor this phrase when they want to emphasize the importance of the responder's personal choice within a structured set of options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicate your choice

Often used in formal forms or surveys.

express your preference

Slightly more formal and emphasizes the act of communication.

specify your selection

More technical and precise, common in commercial contexts.

mention your preferred option

More casual and conversational.

signal your choice

Implies a non-verbal or indirect way of showing a preference.

identify your favorite

Focuses on personal liking rather than a functional selection.

voice your opinion

Broader in scope, referring to thoughts rather than just a specific choice.

outline your requirements

Suggests a more detailed explanation of needs rather than a single choice.

declare your intent

Much stronger and more formal, often used in legal or official scenarios.

note your interest

Less about a final choice and more about an initial inclination.

FAQs

How do I use "state your preference" in a sentence?

You can use it as an instruction: "Please "state your preference" for the venue by Friday." Ludwig shows it is often used with a preposition like "for" or "with".

What is a more formal way to say "state your preference"?

A more formal alternative would be "indicate your choice" or "specify your requirements".

Is "state your preference" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is a perfectly correct imperative or infinitive phrase according to Ludwig AI. It follows the standard verb + possessive + noun structure.

Can I say "state your preferences" instead?

Yes, use the plural "state your preferences" when there are multiple choices to be made or more than one category of options.