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I want to write a sentence and say something like this:

After these, X, Y and Z are respectively preferred.

The main purpose is to say that these are the things which are preferred :
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. X
5. Y
6. Z

Which is correct? "preferred respectively" or "respectively preferred" ?


More Context:

For A, B and C I used this sentence: The research showed that most coaches prefer A, B and C.

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  • In the list, do you mean from most preferred to least preferred, or something like that?
    – Em.
    Jul 21, 2016 at 6:42
  • @Max Yes :) that's exactly what i meant Jul 21, 2016 at 6:43
  • Would you tell us how did you describe the priorities of A, B, and C ? I am not sure that using "respectively" is a good idea here. but I am a learner.
    – Cardinal
    Jul 21, 2016 at 6:44
  • @Cardinal i'm not sure of that either ! for A, B and C i used this sentence : The research showed that most coaches prefer A, B and C. Jul 21, 2016 at 6:46
  • You are welcome to wait much longer for other responses. Don't feel like you need to accept an answer right away. It is normal to wait a few hours, or even a day before you accept an answers. This gives others a chance to respond, especially on a smaller SE like ELL. Have a look at Not so fast! (When should I accept my answer?)
    – Em.
    Jul 21, 2016 at 7:52

1 Answer 1

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I don't think respectively works here.

respectively
adv
(in listing a number of items or attributes that refer to another list) separately in the order given:
he gave Janet and John a cake and a chocolate respectively.

This means that Janet got a cake and John got a chocolate.

There is also this definition

in precisely the order given; sequentially.

But I don't think it would not imply which order you intend, high to low or low to high. So, I would not use respectively in this case. I would instead consider

  1. After these, X, Y and Z followed, from most to least preferred.
  2. After these, X,Y, and Z were preferred, in decreasing order.
  3. After these, X,Y, and Z were preferred, where X was most preferred, and Z was least preferred.

This is assuming that X was most preferred, and Z was least preferred.

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