favours
C1Neutral to formal in noun form; neutral in verb form.
Definition
Meaning
Acts of kindness, assistance, or preferential treatment granted to someone; the specific instances of 'favour'.
Can refer to political patronage, tokens of affection or esteem, or the state of being approved of or liked. As a verb, it means to prefer, support, or resemble.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The plural noun often implies small, personal acts of kindness, but also carries a formal/institutional meaning of political or professional patronage. The verb often implies bias or preference, and a distinct physical resemblance meaning.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK spelling: 'favours' (noun/verb). US spelling: 'favors'. The meaning and usage are identical.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. 'Political favours' has the same patronage connotation. Asking for 'a favour' is equally common.
Frequency
Equal frequency in both varieties, adjusted for spelling difference.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
She favours [NP] (over something else).He did [NP] a favour.The evidence favours [NP].She bears a strong resemblance that favours [NP].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “curry favour (with someone)”
- “in favour of”
- “in someone's good/bad favour”
- “out of favour”
- “return the favour”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to preferential treatment in deals, negotiations, or promotions (e.g., 'He gained the contract through political favours').
Academic
Used in political science/history regarding patronage systems; in statistics, 'the evidence favours hypothesis A'.
Everyday
Primarily used for personal acts of help (e.g., 'Can you do me a favour and pick up some milk?').
Technical
Not typically a technical term, except in specialised legal/political contexts describing bias or patronage.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The government favours a policy of gradual reform.
- The child favours his mother in appearance.
- I'd favour the blue option over the red one.
American English
- The senator favors the new tax bill.
- She favors her left leg when walking.
- The data favors the initial hypothesis.
adverb
British English
- Not a standard adverb form. Use 'favourably'.
- The deal was viewed favourably by the board.
American English
- Not a standard adverb form. Use 'favorably'.
- The court ruled favorably on the motion.
adjective
British English
- The most-favoured-nation clause in the treaty.
- His favoured technique was the long pass.
American English
- The most-favored-nation status.
- Her favored candidate won the primary.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Can you do me a favour?
- He asked for a small favour.
- I need to return the favour she did for me last week.
- The teacher showed no favour to any student.
- The minister was accused of granting political favours to party donors.
- The committee voted in favour of the proposal.
- Her theories have fallen out of favour with contemporary scholars.
- The genetic evidence strongly favours a recent migration event.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FAVOURite person; you do FAVOURS for them.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAVOUR IS A COMMODITY (to owe, return, grant, call in). FAVOUR IS PHYSICAL SUPPORT (to be in/out of favour).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'услуга' for all contexts; 'favour' is more personal/voluntary, while 'услуга' can be professional. 'Sexual favours' is a specific collocation not directly equivalent to 'сексуальные услуги' (which implies sex work). 'Curry favour' is an idiom meaning to ingratiate, not related to food.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'favour' as an uncountable noun when meaning specific acts (e.g., 'He did me many favour').
- Confusing 'in favour of' (supporting) with 'in someone's favour' (to their advantage).
- Misspelling 'favours' as 'favors' in UK contexts and vice versa.
Practice
Quiz
In the phrase 'the child favours his grandfather', what is the meaning of 'favours'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this is a consistent spelling difference. The US spelling drops the 'u' in 'favor', 'favors', 'favorable', etc.
Typically, 'a favour' implies a relatively small, personal act of kindness. For significant, ongoing, or professional help, words like 'assistance', 'support', or 'service' are more common.
'In favour of' means supporting something (e.g., 'I'm in favour of change'). 'In someone's favour' means to their advantage (e.g., 'The decision was in her favour').
No. It's an idiom meaning to try to gain approval through flattery. It comes from an old French phrase 'curer favel', not from the spice.