to be in favour of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be in favour of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express support or approval for a particular idea, proposal, or action. Example: "The committee decided to be in favour of the new policy after reviewing its potential benefits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He claimed to be in favour of regulatory reform.

The Guardian - Money

Someone has to be in favour of it, though.

The Guardian

It always seems to be in favour of the opposition.

The Guardian - Sport

Almost everyone seemed to be in favour of this notion.

The Guardian

The commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, is said to be in favour of the initiative.

The Guardian

"He was noted to be in favour of the regime, but he had Jewish relatives.

The Guardian - Music

People expect the party of Margaret Thatcher to be in favour of aspiration and enterprise.

The Guardian - Opinion

The vote was believed to be in favour of secularism and development.

The Guardian - Opinion

A final decision due today is widely expected to be in favour of polymer.

The Guardian - Business

It's generally not very fashionable to be in favour of things such as hunting.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As someone with an English mother, to be in favour of Welsh nationalism was unthinkable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the object or idea you are "in favour of" is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "They are in favour of it", specify, "They are in favour of the proposed tax cuts".

Common error

While acceptable, "to be in favour of" can sound slightly verbose in formal contexts. Consider using stronger, more direct synonyms such as "support" or "endorse" to achieve a more concise and impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be in favour of" functions as a predicative expression, indicating support or approval for something. Ludwig examples show it modifying subjects to express their position on a topic. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be in favour of" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression for indicating support or approval. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, with abundant examples available. While common in news and media, as well as business and scientific contexts, it can be replaced by stronger synonyms like "to support" or "to endorse" for a more concise tone in formal writing. Ensure the object of your support is clear when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to support

Emphasizes active backing or advocacy.

to approve of

Implies agreement and satisfaction.

to be supportive of

Highlights a general attitude of support.

to advocate for

Highlights public promotion and championing of a cause.

to endorse

Suggests formal approval or recommendation.

to back

Informal term for supporting or assisting someone.

to champion

Suggests active and enthusiastic support.

to subscribe to

Implies agreement with a set of ideas or beliefs.

to be sympathetic to

Highlights understanding and support for a cause or person.

to be partial to

Suggests a preference or liking for something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "to be in favour of"?

You can use alternatives like "to support", "to endorse", or "to approve of" depending on the context.

Is "to be in favor of" the same as "to be in favour of"?

"To be in favor of" and "to be in favour of" are the same, but the former is more common in American English, while the latter is preferred in British English. Both phrases mean to support or approve of something.

How do I use "to be in favour of" in a sentence?

Use "to be in favour of" followed by the thing you support or approve of. For example, "The committee seems to be in favour of the new regulations."

Which is correct, "in favor" or "in favour"?

Both "in favor" and "in favour" are correct. "In favor" is the standard spelling in American English, while "in favour" is the British English spelling. The meaning is the same.