strong preference for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strong preference for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone's expressed preference for something over any other option. For example, you could say, "Anne expressed a strong preference for Italian food over other types of cuisine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Mets showed a strong preference for college players.

The New York Times - Sports

A man, you might say, with a strong preference for still waters.

The Guardian - Books

She refrains from filtering out brown eyes, despite her strong preference for blue.

The New York Times

Beneficiaries showed a strong preference for low-cost plans this year.

The New York Times

The public also has a strong preference for national unity coalitions, according to opinion polls.

The New York Times

Given the Conservative government's strong preference for open markets, the move came as a surprise.

The New York Times

Bees show a strong preference for flowers with intricate shapes and colorations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This option is great when you have a strong preference for an ingredient.

The New York Times - Tech

Guizot shared with Louis-Philippe a strong preference for a safe and sane foreign policy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Both places show a strong preference for consumption over saving when times are good.

The Economist

Mr Roberts has a strong preference for making "narrow" decisions that have limited value as precedents.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "strong preference for", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the preference is being compared against. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "strong preference for" when the preference is only slight or marginal. Using a weaker term like "slight preference" or "mild inclination" can be more accurate and prevent exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strong preference for" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It specifies a marked inclination or liking towards something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, showcased across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strong preference for" is a versatile phrase used to express a clear liking or inclination towards something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across a variety of contexts, including science, news and media, and encyclopedias. While synonyms like "keen predilection for" or "marked inclination toward" exist, it's important to use the phrase in contexts where the preference is genuinely notable to avoid overstatement. Keep in mind that this expression is typically neutral in register and very common in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keen predilection for

Substitutes 'preference' with 'predilection' and 'strong' with 'keen', increasing the formality.

marked inclination toward

Replaces 'preference' with 'inclination' and 'strong' with 'marked', altering the intensity and word choice.

evident penchant for

Replaces 'preference' with 'penchant' and 'strong' with 'evident', suggesting a natural tendency.

pronounced liking for

Substitutes 'preference' with 'liking' and 'strong' with 'pronounced', softening the formality.

obvious inclination to

Similar to 'marked inclination,' but emphasizes the visibility of the inclination.

noticeable leaning toward

Changes 'preference' to 'leaning' and 'strong' to 'noticeable', making it less assertive.

distinct favoring of

Changes 'preference' to 'favoring' and 'strong' to 'distinct', providing a slightly more formal tone.

decided partiality to

Replaces 'preference' with 'partiality' and 'strong' with 'decided', adding a nuance of bias.

significant bias for

Conveys a stronger sense of unfairness or prejudice compared to a simple preference.

clear favoritism toward

Implies a possibly unfair or unjustified preference, stronger than a simple liking.

FAQs

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

Use "strong preference for" to indicate a clear liking or inclination towards something. For example, "The data showed a "strong preference for" locally sourced materials among consumers".

What are some alternatives to "strong preference for"?

You can use alternatives like "marked inclination toward", "keen predilection for", or "distinct favoring of" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it redundant to say "very strong preference for"?

While not strictly incorrect, saying "very strong preference for" can be redundant since "strong" already implies a high degree of preference. Consider using "clear preference for" or simply ""strong preference for"" for better conciseness.

What's the difference between "strong preference for" and "slight preference for"?

"Strong preference for" indicates a significant liking or inclination, while "slight preference for" suggests a minimal or marginal liking. The choice depends on the degree of inclination you want to convey.