unfavourable to

USAGE SUMMARY

"unfavourable to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something is not beneficial or helpful. For example: "The changes in the production process were unfavourable to the workers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Twitter, as a rule, is unfavourable to politicians.

The Guardian

The May elections returned a majority unfavourable to the King.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The rule would be in the highest degree unfavourable to the interests of the community.

Harvard University

"I appointed Gareth in a situation that was greatly unfavourable to him.

The Guardian - Sport

4.30pm: The three main parties have been cherry-picking the IFS reports and highlighting the sections unfavourable to their opponents.

The Guardian

Kalanick sees any laws and regulations that are unfavourable to Uber by definition as anachronisms in need of overhauling.

The Guardian

The terms were unfavourable to the peasants in many, probably most, cases.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This crop has the additional advantage that it can be grown under conditions that are unfavourable to most other crops.

Biomass and Bioenergy

The campaign against the Brotherhood has also taken place alongside a crackdown on journalists suspected of presenting information unfavourable to the army and its supporters.

The Guardian

The WHO expects Zika to spread everywhere in the Americas except Canada and Chile, where the climate is unfavourable to the main culprits for transmission, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

The Guardian

The addition of CO2 also appears unfavourable to the production of hydrogen but increases the CO yield.

Catalysis Today

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unfavourable to", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being negatively affected. For instance, specify if a policy is "unfavourable to" small businesses or the environment.

Common error

Avoid using "unfavourable to" without specifying the affected party. Without context, it can lead to ambiguity. Be precise about who or what experiences the negative impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfavourable to" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that something is detrimental, disadvantageous, or has a negative impact on the specified entity. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unfavourable to" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression to describe something detrimental or disadvantageous. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage. Its prevalence in "News & Media", "Science", and "Encyclopedias" indicates its suitability for analytical and objective contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key; always specify what or who is being negatively impacted to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "detrimental to" or "adverse to" can be used to add nuance. Remember to maintain consistency in spelling (favourable vs. favorable) based on your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Detrimental to

Focuses on the harmful or damaging aspect.

Adverse to

Emphasizes a negative or hostile effect.

Against

A simpler, more direct way to express opposition.

Opposed to

Highlights direct opposition or resistance.

Prejudicial to

Stresses the potential for bias or unfairness.

Inimical to

Indicates hostility or unfriendliness.

Harmful to

Focuses on the damaging or injurious effect.

Counter to

Suggests a conflict or contradiction.

Disadvantageous to

Highlights the aspect of creating a handicap.

Negative towards

Indicates a negative sentiment or impact.

FAQs

How can I use "unfavourable to" in a sentence?

Use "unfavourable to" to describe something that has a negative impact on something else. For example, "The new regulations are "unfavourable to" small businesses".

What are some alternatives to saying "unfavourable to"?

Alternatives include "detrimental to", "adverse to", or "harmful to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "unfavorable to" instead of "unfavourable to"?

"Unfavorable" is the American English spelling, while "unfavourable" is the British English spelling. Both are correct, but consistency within your writing is key.

What's the difference between "unfavourable to" and "opposed to"?

"Unfavourable to" describes something that has a negative impact or effect, while "opposed to" indicates active disagreement or resistance. For example, a policy might be "unfavourable to" economic growth, while a politician might be "opposed to" the policy itself.