very much prefer

USAGE SUMMARY

"very much prefer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize your preference for something over another option. For example, "I very much prefer apples to oranges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Personally, I think the arts would very much prefer to work without the intrusion of official concern.

Independent

As a sailor, I respect the sea; as a gardener, I'd very much prefer to do without it, because with a sea view comes a wind, bearing salt on its wings.

Independent

The Partnership's members, many of whom are staunch supporters of the Mayor, would very much prefer that he "get things done quietly and behind the scenes," [Kiley] says.... [However] he will not restrict himself to cutting ribbons with Henry Kravis.

The New Yorker

You've often said that when you're painting you very much prefer to be alone - that, for instance, when you are doing a portrait you don't like to have the subject actually there.

The Guardian

"As we have stressed since our initial correspondence in September, we very much prefer to negotiate a transaction with Georgia Gulf, but we have determined that making your stockholders aware of our proposal is necessary," Mr. Chao wrote in a letter to Georgia Gulf's board of directors, which was included in the release.

The New York Times

As the surgeon proceeds with, say, a massive abdominal operation, the patient's functional organization might lead him to think that he is in acute pain and to very much prefer that he not be, even though the surgeon assures him that he could not be in pain because he has been deprived of precisely "what it takes".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"I would have very much preferred that this process would lead to a negotiated solution," he said.

The New York Times

Mr Graham claimed he was powerless to prevent the suspension in action he claimed was forced on him by Soca and the Met, before adding: "My opinion is that I would have very much preferred that these [alleged] offences were followed up as soon as they could be".

Independent

Nonetheless, despite the effectiveness of delivering a bronchodilator via the metered dose route [3, 4], nebulized salbutamol is still very much preferred because of its convenience [5].

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

For such studies, 3-D model-based scatter correction is very much preferred over a less-advanced approach due to down-scatter from the liver.

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

The FACES option likely suffered from a lack of risk stratification from low to moderate and then to high risks, a design feature in the other types of graphics that was very much preferred by participants.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very much prefer" to emphasize a strong inclination towards a particular option, especially when contrasting it with another. For instance, "I very much prefer hiking in the mountains rather than relaxing on the beach."

Common error

While "very much prefer" is correct, avoid using it excessively in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "strongly prefer" or "would rather" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very much prefer" functions as a verb phrase, specifically used to express a strong sense of inclination or liking towards something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically correct and common in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very much prefer" is a grammatically correct and common expression used to convey a strong inclination or liking towards something. As Ludwig AI states, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general conversation. While it's a valuable phrase, remember to vary your language by using alternatives like "strongly prefer" or "would rather" to avoid overuse. Be aware of the register, but it is typically considered neutral. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately represents your intended level of preference and resonates with your audience. The most common contexts are News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strongly prefer

Emphasizes a more forceful preference.

greatly prefer

Highlights the degree to which one option is favored.

significantly prefer

Indicates a notable difference in preference.

decidedly prefer

Implies a clear and unambiguous preference.

would rather

A more common and slightly less formal way to express preference.

favor greatly

Reverses the structure while maintaining a similar meaning.

have a strong preference for

Uses a noun phrase to express preference.

lean towards

Suggests a tendency to prefer something.

gravitate towards

Indicates a natural inclination.

be inclined to

Expresses a disposition or tendency to prefer.

FAQs

What does "very much prefer" mean?

The phrase "very much prefer" indicates a strong liking or inclination for one thing over another. It emphasizes your preference and suggests a significant difference in your level of enjoyment or satisfaction between the options.

How can I use "very much prefer" in a sentence?

You can use "very much prefer" to express a strong preference in various situations. For example, "I "very much prefer" tea to coffee in the morning", or "She "very much prefers" working from home rather than in the office".

What can I say instead of "very much prefer"?

You can use alternatives like "strongly prefer", "greatly prefer", or "would rather" to express a similar sentiment.

Is it correct to say "I very prefer"?

No, the correct phrasing is "I "very much prefer"". The inclusion of "much" strengthens and clarifies the preference.