Word · CEFR B2 · Frequency #6353
preferably
/ˈprefɝːəbli/
adverb
最好；更合意地；宁可
by preference; if possible; more willingly
- 1.
In preference; by choice; in a preferable manner.
优先地；按意愿；以更可取的方式。
- 2.
more readily or willingly
更愿意或更乐意地
优先地；按意愿；以更可取的方式。；更愿意或更乐意地；宁可
In use
Please bring your own lunch, preferably something healthy.
We should leave by 8 a.m., preferably earlier.
She wants the report submitted by Friday, preferably in PDF format.
clean it well, preferably with warm water
preferably + noun phrase
名词前用 preferably 表示更可取的选项。
I would like a small apartment, preferably a studio.
我想要一个小公寓，最好是单间公寓。
preferably, + clause
Preferably, we should submit the report by Friday.
最好我们在周五之前提交报告。
Common mistakes
Connections
Collocations
- preferably with
- 最好与……一起
- Please bring a photo ID, preferably with your current address.请携带带照片的身份证，最好显示您当前的地址。
- preferably in
- 最好在……中
- The document should be submitted in digital format, preferably in PDF.文件应以数字格式提交，最好是PDF格式。
- preferably before
- 最好在……之前
- You should arrive at the airport preferably before 7 AM.你最好在早上7点前到达机场。
- preferably at
- 最好在……（时间/地点）
- We can meet for lunch, preferably at noon.我们可以一起吃午饭，最好在中午。
- preferably after
- 最好在……之后
- Take this medication with food, preferably after a meal.请在饭后服用此药，最好是餐后。
- preferably not
Learner notes
Memory Tip
preferably拆解为prefer（偏爱）+ably（能干地），偏爱又能干，当然“最好”选择它。
Context & Register
通常用于书面语或正式口语，表示在多种选项中更倾向于某一选择；多用于提出建议或表达偏好时。
Grammar Note
常与should, would like等连用，表示建议或偏好
Pronunciation & Spelling
All words share the spelling ending '-ably' but have different stressed vowels, so they are not perfect rhymes. 'Probably' is a common lookalike but has a different vowel sound.
Dictionary facts from DICTIONARY_API_DEV, ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.