suggest a preference for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suggest a preference for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone has a particular liking or choice regarding something. Example: "The survey results suggest a preference for online learning over traditional classroom settings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

To deem unflattering the "big jeans" and "baggy gray top" I wear throughout the film is to suggest a preference for heroines in more tight-fitting clothes.

The New Yorker

Surveys of health-seeking behaviour suggest a preference for self-care remedies while essential oil aroma inhalation is a popular aromatherapy application.

European Journal of Integrative Medicine

Indeed, recent studies of mixed crystalline frameworks suggest a preference for the statistical distribution of functionalities throughout the pores7 rather than, for example, the functional group localization found in the reactive sites of enzymes8.

Nature

Results suggest a preference for the Wilk's Λ method over Model-Coupled-CV for determining the number of EPO components g, as it produced smoother transformed spectra and more parsimonious models.

Geoderma

But the length to which Mr. Almunia has already gone to reach a settlement, and his stated aim of winning quick results for consumers, strongly suggest a preference for an amicable outcome that would avoid the need to impose a vast fine on Google, which the company would almost certainly contest in court.

The New York Times

While the results were not fully conclusive they still suggest a preference for the former.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The fungus prefers to grow in conifer woods and peat bogs, suggesting a preference for acidic environments.

Wikipedia

But Peru's record suggests a preference for more aggressive tactics.

The New York Times

What do you think about that?" suggests a preference for direct verbal responses over giggling.

The New Yorker

This suggests a preference for the intercellular spaces and not the plant cell itself.

Nature

That, and her comment about China, suggests a preference for illiberal non-Western powers over liberal Western ones.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suggest a preference for", ensure that the evidence or data you are presenting genuinely supports the existence of a preference. Avoid overstating the strength of the preference based on limited or ambiguous data.

Common error

Avoid assuming that correlation implies a preference. Just because two things occur together doesn't mean there's a conscious choice or liking involved. Ensure that the data truly reflects a deliberate selection or inclination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suggest a preference for" functions as a verb phrase used to indicate that there is evidence pointing towards a particular liking or choice. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig show the phrase used in scientific research, news articles, and general writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "suggest a preference for" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to indicate that evidence points towards a particular liking or choice. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in science and news. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the evidence genuinely supports the preference and to avoid assuming correlation implies causation. Remember to maintain a neutral tone and to consider alternative phrasing to more precisely convey intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicate a tendency toward

Changes the focus from a specific preference to a general tendency.

display an inclination for

Replaces suggest with "display" and preference with "inclination".

point to a liking of

Replaces "suggest" with "point to" and "preference" with "liking", indicating a slightly more informal tone.

demonstrate a partiality for

Uses the word "partiality" instead of "preference", implying a bias.

imply a favoritism for

Substitutes "preference" with "favoritism", suggesting a potentially stronger inclination.

reflect a desire for

Emphasizes the underlying desire that drives the preference.

hint at a predilection for

Uses more formal vocabulary like "predilection" and "hint at" to convey a similar meaning.

signal a choice of

Focuses on the act of choosing rather than a general preference.

lean towards

Uses a simpler phrasal verb to indicate inclination.

reveal an appetite for

Replaces "preference" with "appetite", suggesting a strong desire.

FAQs

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

You can use "suggest a preference for" when you want to indicate that there is evidence pointing towards someone or something having a particular liking or choice. For example, "The data suggest a preference for locally sourced materials".

What are some alternatives to "suggest a preference for"?

Some alternatives include "indicate a tendency toward", "point to a liking of", or "imply a favoritism for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "suggest a preference for" or "indicate a preference for"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. "Suggest a preference for" implies a slightly less direct indication than "indicate a preference for", which may be more suitable when the evidence is not conclusive.

What is the difference between "suggest a preference for" and "imply a preference for"?

"Suggest a preference for" means there is evidence that hints at a preference, while "imply a preference for" means that the preference is not directly stated but can be inferred from something else. Suggest is evidence based, imply is inference based.