they preferred that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they preferred that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a preference for a specific action or outcome in a situation. Example: "They preferred that the meeting be held in the afternoon rather than in the morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The Saudi mothers showed preferences similar to those of their counterparts in Western countries; they preferred that BBN be conducted early, in detail, in person, and in a quiet setting [ 1- 7].

BMC Medical Ethics

Jeans were out, and they preferred that you wear a beard and long Arabic clothes".

The New York Times

If Southeast Asia was going to be lost to Communism, they preferred that it be on another President's head.

The New Yorker

Almost the same percentage said they preferred that he hew to the course set by Mr. Putin.

The New York Times

"The Bush entourage said they preferred that the tape not go out, though I could not see any reason why they shouldn't," Mr. Blackwell said.

The New York Times

Health officials said that they told him they "preferred" that he not go, but did not tell him not to go.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

If they agree on which option they prefer, that method will be used; if there is a disagreement, a runoff will be held.

The New York Times - Sports

Analysts say they prefer that measure because it enables them to compare the performance of companies with different levels of debt and amortization charges.

The New York Times

But they do not know if Mexicans care about air pollution or they prefer that government faces other problems.

Latin American Economic Review

Without a definition of causation in terms of observable phenomena, they prefer that decision theory avoid causation.

SEP

HBO viewers can also choose to watch via the network's own app, HBO NOW, if they prefer that experience.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they preferred that", ensure that the subject of the sentence clearly refers to a group of individuals whose preference is being stated. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "they preferred that" when the subject is singular; instead, use "he/she preferred that" or rephrase to maintain correct subject-verb agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they preferred that" functions as a clause introducer, indicating a preference or choice made by a group. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it connects a subject (they) with their favored action or outcome, often followed by a subjunctive clause.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they preferred that" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey a group's preference for a specific action or outcome. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, indicating its broad applicability. When employing this phrase, it's important to ensure subject-verb agreement and clarity regarding the subject's identity. Alternatives like "they favored that" or "they would rather that" can provide nuanced variations. Ludwig AI confirms the acceptability and correctness of "they preferred that".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they favored that

Replaces "preferred" with "favored", indicating a slight inclination.

they would rather that

Uses "would rather" to express preference, implying a conditional choice.

they desired that

Substitutes "preferred" with "desired", suggesting a stronger inclination or wish.

they chose that

Emphasizes the act of selecting or picking one option over others.

they opted for that

Uses "opted for" to highlight a conscious decision or selection.

their preference was that

Rephrases using "preference was" to express the same idea in a more formal way.

they leaned towards that

Indicates a tendency or inclination toward a particular option.

they gravitated towards that

Implies a natural or inherent attraction to a certain choice.

that was their inclination

Expresses the preference as an inclination, suggesting a natural tendency.

that aligned with their wishes

Indicates that the choice matched their desires or hopes.

FAQs

How do I use "they preferred that" in a sentence?

Use "they preferred that" to indicate the specific action or outcome that a group of individuals favored. For example, "They preferred that the project be completed by Friday."

What are some alternatives to "they preferred that"?

You can use alternatives like "they favored that", "they would rather that", or "they chose that" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "they preferred that" formal or informal?

"They preferred that" is generally considered neutral in register and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives exist, such as "their preference was that".

What's the difference between "they preferred that" and "they would prefer that"?

"They preferred that" indicates a past preference, while "they would prefer that" expresses a current or future preference. The choice depends on whether you are referring to a past decision or a present inclination.