which is preferred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is preferred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing options or choices, indicating that one option is favored over others. Example: "When it comes to choosing a programming language, Python is often the one which is preferred by many developers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The company has resisted fingerprint-based background screening, which is preferred by law enforcement.

The Washington Post

The four-borough option, which is preferred by telecommunications carriers, would mean that a separate solution would have to be found for Manhattan by 2014.

The New York Times

Spain pushed for Santander, a popular summer resort, because of the slow clay-court surface, which is preferred by Spanish players.

The New York Times - Sports

These effects can be measured physically to give an acutance value, which is preferred to resolving power as a criterion of a film's sharpness performance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It has an over-the-ear design, which is preferred by many people who don't like a Bluetooth earphone that goes in the ear canal.

The New York Times

For wine, it is roughly the inverse, which is preferred by 52 percent of women and 20 percent of men, according to a 2012 Gallup poll.

The New York Times

In this solution, carbon capture is accomplished by implementing the oxy-fuel combustion technology (which is preferred to the post-combustion capture using monoethanolamine as solvent).

Energy Policy

Higher activity for some groups following felling may occur due to the creation of more edge habitat, which is preferred by both Pipistrellus species we recorded.

Forest Ecology and Management

The White House method is to calculate the change from the fourth quarter of 2017 to the fourth quarter of 2018, which is preferred by many economists, including the Federal Reserve.

The Washington Post

Other provisions would forbid health care providers from following the most up-to-date medical protocol for the use of abortion-inducing drugs, which is preferred because it minimizes both side effects and costs.

The New York Times

Like other Connecticut growers, he concentrates on bicolor corn, which is preferred in New England — for reasons no one can figure out, since color has no bearing on flavor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider your audience. In formal contexts, "which is preferred" is entirely appropriate. For very informal communication, consider alternatives like "what's better".

Common error

Avoid stating "which is preferred" without specifying why. Readers need to understand the rationale behind the preference to fully grasp the meaning. Always clarify the reason.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is preferred" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about a noun or pronoun. It indicates a subjective or objective preference for one option over others, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

28%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which is preferred" is a grammatically sound and versatile way to express preference or recommendation. As noted by Ludwig, it functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause and finds frequent use in science, news, formal and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide context for the preference, clarifying why a particular option is favored. While appropriate for most formal settings, consider more casual alternatives in informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is favored

Uses "favored" instead of "preferred", slightly more informal.

the favored selection

Synonymous replacement using "favored" instead of "preferred".

that is chosen

Replaces "preferred" with "chosen", implying a more active selection.

the better option

Expresses preference directly as a comparison of options.

the more suitable alternative

Emphasizes suitability as the reason for preference.

that is advisable

Suggests preference based on advice or recommendation.

the recommended choice

Highlights the recommendation aspect of the preference.

the desired selection

Focuses on the desire or wish behind the preference.

what is wanted

Simple and direct way of expressing preference.

that is more appropriate

Highlights appropriateness as the basis for preference.

FAQs

How do I use "which is preferred" in a sentence?

Use "which is preferred" to introduce a clause that explains a preference between two or more options. For example: "Fingerprint-based background screening, "which is preferred" by law enforcement, offers a higher level of security."

What are some alternatives to "which is preferred"?

You can use alternatives like "that is favored", "that is chosen", or "the better option" depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "that is preferred" instead of "which is preferred"?

Yes, "that is preferred" is a grammatically correct alternative. The choice between "which" and "that" depends on whether the clause is nonrestrictive (using "which") or restrictive (using "that").

What's the difference between "preferred" and "recommended"?

"Preferred" implies a general liking or advantage, while "recommended" suggests an endorsement based on expertise or authority. You might say something is "which is preferred" for personal reasons, but "which is recommended" by experts.