preferably
gb/pɹˈɛfɚəbli/ us/pɹˈɛfɚəbli/
B1
Anglais
~ 6800
Sens
0 sens
adverb
B1
property
1
ideally; more desirably
Used to say what you want most, or what is the best way, time, or thing in a situation.
Schéma d’usage :
to do [something], preferably [in the more desired way/time]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse "preferably" (adverb) with "preferable" (adjective). Use "preferably" to modify a verb, clause, or whole sentence (e.g., "Call me, preferably before 6"), and "preferable" before a noun or after "be" (e.g., "An early call is preferable"). Another mistake is saying *"more preferably"; instead, use "even more preferably" or rephrase with "ideally".
Synonymes
ideally (Very close in meaning; slightly more common in everyday speech and a bit less formal than "preferably" in some contexts.)
|
if possible (Less formal phrase; stresses that the preferred option may not be available.)
|
rather (Often used in "would rather" constructions; more about personal choice than suitability or correctness.)
Antonymes
reluctantly (Expresses doing something you do not want to do, the opposite attitude of choosing what you prefer.)
|
if necessary (Suggests you will do something only when you must, instead of because it is preferred.)
Collocations
preferably with
|preferably before
|preferably in the morning
|preferably not
|or preferably
Thèmes
daily life
|communication
|preferences
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Please arrive early, preferably ten minutes before the meeting starts.
- We’d like a room with a view, preferably on a higher floor.
- Use fresh tomatoes, preferably organic ones if you can find them.
- The position starts next month, preferably on the first Monday.
- You should submit the form online, or preferably through the official app.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Come to the office in the morning, preferably before nine o’clock.
- We want a hotel near the beach, preferably with a pool.
- Cook this dish slowly, preferably on low heat.
- Send me the file today, preferably by email.
- He hopes to work from home, preferably three days a week.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
preferably
API
GB/pɹˈɛfɚəbli/
US/pɹˈɛfɚəbli/
Syllabes et accentuation
prefer - ably (2 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (prefer)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: preferably
- Plural: preferablies
Famille de mots
Forms
preferablies
noun
Core family
Advanced or less common
preferential
adjective
preferentially
adverb
Expressions
Aucune expression n’est encore associée à cette entrée.