Preferably meaning in English

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Definition

preferably: ideally, I would like adverb
I'd like to reserve a seat for this flight, preferably by the window.

Examples

  • "6 cigars (Cuban preferably, but Dominican will do, I suppose)"
  • "I found a discrepancy on my recent bank summary, and I was hoping to speak with someone who can attend to this problem. I'm sure that you are all quite busy, but I would greatly appreciate it if I could receive a call back from a manager, preferably sometime this afternoon."
  • "Napkins (preferably with a proper birthday motif)"
  • "Preferably a pretty one."
  • "A simple tie (solid color or striped), preferably with a bit of red."
Exercise 1
Bruno requests 6 cigars: "Cuban preferably, but Dominican will do."

This means that: Bruno Cuban cigars for the party. Dominican cigars .
Bruno requests 6 cigars: "Cuban preferably, but Dominican will do."

This means that: Bruno wants 1 Cuban cigars for the party. Dominican cigars are acceptable 2.
1 wants: Bruno instructs Polly to buy "Cuban cigars preferably" which indicates his preference for Cuban cigars.
1 doesn't want: Bruno explicitly states his preference for Cuban cigars.
1 wouldn't mind: Bruno explicitly states his preference for Cuban cigars.
1 refuses: Bruno explicitly states his preference for Cuban cigars.
2 are acceptable: This is correct. The expression "(that) will do" indicates that something is acceptable or tolerable. In this case Bruno is consenting to Dominican cigars, but only if Cuban cigars are not available.
2 would be ideal: Bruno writes that Cuban cigars would be ideal, but that Dominican cigars are acceptable.
2 are out of the question: Bruno writes that Cuban cigars would be ideal, but that Dominican cigars are acceptable.
2 are unavailable: Bruno writes that Cuban cigars would be ideal, but that Dominican cigars are acceptable.

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