Preferably is a commonly misspelled word. Its correct spelling is P-R-E-F-E-R-A-B-L-Y, with the emphasis on the second syllable: /ˈprɛfərəbli/. The pronunciation is characterized by three syllables, similar to the word "prefer", with the addition of the suffix "-ably". The word is primarily used to express a preference for one option over another. It is important to remember that the spelling of this word is crucial for effective communication in both written and spoken English.
Preferably is an adverb that is used to indicate a strong preference or an ideal condition or choice. It is derived from the adjective "preferable," which means more desirable or more suitable.
When used in a context, preferably implies that one option is favored over others, suggesting that it is the best or most desirable option. It expresses a preference for a specific choice or alternative and is often used to indicate a recommendation or instruction.
For instance, if someone asks for a meeting time, they may say, "Let's schedule it for tomorrow, preferably in the morning." This implies that the person strongly prefers the morning as the ideal time for the meeting, though other options might still be considered.
Additionally, preferably can be used in a hypothetical or speculative manner, such as saying, "Ideally, she would prefer to work from home, preferably with a flexible schedule." This implies that working from home is ideal, and having a flexible schedule would be even better.
Overall, preferably emphasizes the preference for a particular choice or condition, acting as a qualifier to indicate the preferred option among various alternatives or possibilities.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word preferably dates back to the late 16th century and is derived from the verb prefer. Prefer originates from the Latin word praeferre, which is a combination of prae (meaning before or in front of) and ferre (meaning to carry or to bear). In Latin, praeferre meant to set before, to put in front, or to value more highly. Over time, the suffix -ably was added to prefer, resulting in the formation of preferably, which means in a way that is more desirable or favored.