preference

/ˈprefrəns/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈprefrəns/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpre-fərn(t)s, ˈpre-f(ə-)rən(t)s/ (ame, mw)

preference — 名詞

  • preferencesingular
  • preferencesplural

1. a stronger liking for one person, thing, or plan than for another, or the option

1.名詞B2
釋義

偏好

較喜歡某人或某事

a stronger liking for one person, thing, or plan than for another, or the option you would choose first

例句

Maya showed a clear preference for tea over sweet bottled drinks.

Maya 明顯偏好茶，不太愛甜瓶裝飲料。

pattern: preference for + noun over + noun

On rainy weekends, Ben's preference is staying home with old films.

到了下雨的週末，Ben 比較喜歡待在家裡看老電影。

pattern: preference is + -ing

同義詞
  • liking

    a simpler everyday word for enjoying someone or something

  • taste

    often refers to personal style in food, art, clothes, or design

  • fondness

    warmer and more emotional, especially about people or familiar things

  • bias

    suggests unfairness or a fixed opinion rather than a neutral personal choice

反義詞
  • dislike

    means not liking something rather than liking it best

  • aversion

    a much stronger negative feeling

  • indifference

    shows that no special liking is felt either way

文法句型

have a preference for + noun

show a preference for + noun

first preference

用法筆記

Often appears with for when naming what someone likes more. Distinguish from noun/2, where preference is an advantage given by a rule, institution, or decision rather than a personal liking.

常見錯誤

❌My preference between coffee is tea.
✅My preference is tea.' / 'I have a preference for tea over coffee.
💡use 'between' for the choices, not after 'preference' alone.
❌She has preference of quiet rooms.
✅She has a preference for quiet rooms.
💡the usual preposition here is 'for'.

2. an arrangement or decision that places one person, group, or thing ahead of othe

2.名詞
釋義

優先

給特定對象較有利待遇

an arrangement or decision that places one person, group, or thing ahead of others

例句

The school gives preference to children who live near campus.

學校優先考慮住在校園附近的孩子。

pattern: give preference to + noun

In hiring, the factory gave preference to workers with repair skills.

招募時，工廠優先錄用有修理技能的工人。

同義詞
  • priority

    often means being dealt with first, especially in time or order

  • advantage

    broader and not always created by an official rule

  • favoritism

    usually negative and suggests unfair special treatment

反義詞
  • equality

    means people or groups are treated the same

  • neutrality

    suggests no side receives special support

文法句型

give preference to + noun

show preference for + noun

be given preference

用法筆記

Usually appears with give or show and with to, for, or over. Subject is often an institution, rule, or procedure; compare noun/1 for private likes and tastes.

常見錯誤

❌The rule preferred local students.
✅The rule gave preference to local students.
💡this noun sense describes an advantage created by a policy or decision.
❌Older patients were given preference than younger ones.
✅Older patients were given preference over younger ones.
💡use 'over' when comparing the group receiving the advantage.

3. used in the phrase in preference to to mean instead of someone or something beca

3.名詞
釋義

寧可

寧願選前者而不選後者

used in the phrase in preference to to mean instead of someone or something because it seems better liked or more suitable

例句

We bought the smaller tent in preference to the heavier one.

我們寧可買較小的帳篷，也不買那頂較重的。

fixed phrase: in preference to + noun

Rosa walks to work in preference to waiting for the late bus.

Rosa 寧可走路上班，也不想等那班誤點公車。

fixed phrase: in preference to + -ing

同義詞
  • rather than

    the most common modern equivalent

  • instead of

    more neutral and common in everyday speech

  • in place of

    slightly more formal and often focuses on replacement

文法句型

in preference to + noun

in preference to + -ing

用法筆記

Mostly found in the fixed phrase in preference to. Distinguish from noun/1, which names the liking itself; noun/3 focuses on the option chosen instead of another one.

常見錯誤

❌We stayed home in preference than driving.
✅We stayed home in preference to driving.
💡the fixed phrase uses 'to', not 'than'.