what was preferred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what was preferred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing choices or options that were favored in a particular context or situation. Example: "In the survey, we found that what was preferred by the majority was a more flexible work schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"The political system made a judgment about what was preferred care," said Karen Ignagni, president of the American Association of Health Plans, which represents managed-care plans.

The New York Times

It tried to observe changes in the preference of MOD in different time periods before childbirth, to examine the difference between what was preferred and what actually happened, and to analyse the determinants of changes in the MOD decisions.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"What is Islamic may not be preferred by the majority, and what is preferred by the majority may not be Islamic," said Professor Behdad, who teaches economics at Denison University in Ohio.

The New York Times

What is preferred seems to be the possibility of an easy consumption: light wine, fresh flavor at low price.

Agricultural and Food Economics

That is, from a large set of basic facts about what is preferred to what, facts about how much each thing must be preferred to the other can be derived (e.g., von Neumann and Morgenstern 1944).

SEP

On the other hand, Brennan (1996, 326 29) argues that there is only one appropriate action for any situation, so that selection of what is preferred, or usually according to nature, is only prima facie appropriate.

SEP

This is because a given mode of drug administration that incurs the lowest monetary cost to healthcare payers or providers may incur hidden indirect costs in terms of a mismatch with what is preferred by end-users, be it patients or otherwise healthy people [2].

Health Economics Review

When in doubt, it's okay to simply ask what is preferred, especially from someone who regularly makes introductions for you.

Huffington Post

It is possible that preferences are driven by what is available, or manufacturers may make available what is preferred.

Appetite

Be prepared to experiment, to find what is preferred.

WikiHow

Find out what is preferred by residents in the area you're looking to buy into.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what was preferred" when discussing past decisions or established choices. It is useful when analyzing trends, historical data, or previous selections to establish a clear historical context.

Common error

Avoid using "what was preferred" in contexts where the subject of the preference is unclear. In these cases, explicitly state who held the preference to prevent confusion. Instead of saying "what was preferred", specify "what the team preferred" or "what customers preferred".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what was preferred" functions as a noun clause, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It references a specific choice or option that held favor or priority at some point in the past. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in conveying past choices in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

50%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what was preferred" functions as a noun clause and is used to denote a past choice or preference. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears in news, science, and wiki contexts. To enhance clarity, ensure the subject of the preference is explicitly stated. Related phrases include "the favored option" and "the selected choice", providing alternative ways to express similar ideas. Remember that specifying the subject and time period of the preference helps prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the favored option

Focuses on the option that received the most support or approval.

the favored alternative

Similar to 'the preferred option' but emphasizes that it was one of multiple possibilities.

the selected choice

Emphasizes the act of choosing a specific option from a set of possibilities.

the prioritized item

Highlights that something was given a higher level of importance.

the chosen course of action

Highlights a specific strategy picked among several options.

the adopted approach

Indicates a specific method or strategy that was chosen and implemented.

the elected solution

Focuses on the outcome of the selection process to solve a problem.

the agreed-upon selection

Stresses the collaborative aspect of the choice, where multiple parties consented.

the designated path

Indicates a predetermined route or method someone chose to move forward.

the desired outcome

Emphasizes the intended result rather than the process of choosing.

FAQs

How can I use "what was preferred" in a sentence?

Use "what was preferred" to refer to a choice, option, or method that was favored in the past. For instance, "In the clinical trial, "what was preferred" by patients was the less invasive treatment option".

What are some alternatives to "what was preferred"?

Alternatives include "the favored option", "the selected choice", or "the prioritized item", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "what was preferred" or "what is preferred"?

Use "what was preferred" when discussing past preferences and "what is preferred" when referring to current or general preferences. For example, "Initially, "what was preferred" was traditional advertising, but now "what is preferred" is digital marketing".

What's the difference between "what was preferred" and "what was chosen"?

"What was chosen" simply indicates a selection was made, while "what was preferred" implies that the selection was made due to a specific liking or prioritization. "What was preferred" includes an element of subjective value that "what was chosen" may lack.