Bias and prejudice

Question

Hello! I wanted to know if these sentences are correct:

I was biased by the idea that cats are evil.

I was biased with the idea that cats are evil.

I have a bias against cat lovers.

I have a prejudice against cat lovers.

I am prejudiced against cat lovers.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I was biased by the idea that cats are evil.

I was biased with the idea that cats are evil.

To me the above sentences are not right. You can be biased towards, against or in favour, but to me other prepositions sound odd. You can say I was influenced by the idea that, I favoured the idea, I was inclined to the idea I was predisposed to the idea [eg on the last one, you were prejudiced]

I would also prefer I am biased against cat lovers rather than I have a bias against

OALD

The link if you click the + has various sentences

This site has lots of information about English, though you are far ahead of the majority of it

click on English

Finally a number of the University sites in England have guidance on language used in academic papers aimed at their students, many of whom are native speakers. If you are targeting an international audience you may also want to search American University sites.

Thank you Mardle!:) - Clevine, Jul 7, 2017

De nada - Mardle, Jul 7, 2017

Answer 2

Hello Clevine

You said:

Hello! I wanted to know if these sentences are correct: I was biased by the idea that cats are evil. I was biased with the idea that cats are evil. I have a bias against cat lovers.I have a prejudice against cat lovers. I am prejudiced against cat lovers. Thanks!

You would say in British English

1.I was biased against the idea that cats are evil. 2.i have a prejudice against cat lovers

Or, I have a bias towards cat lovers!

The word 'against' indicates a negative, internal emotional reaction whereas the word 'towards' indicates a positive or favourable, internal emotional reaction. However, if you need to remain impartial or unbiased like a judge or jury in a court of law, in order to be fair, neither form of bias (positive or negative) will really be positive or helpful!

You would not say that you have a bias/prejudice with cat lovers.

You could also say: I have a problem with cat lovers!

I hope this helps

Thank you Feliz. I didn't know the word bias could be positive, what does it really mean towards? That you have the idea they are good people on thic case? - Clevine, Jul 7, 2017

You are welcome, Clevine :) - FELIZ77, Jul 7, 2017

A bias can be a inclination towards something. - FELIZ77, Jul 7, 2017

Answer 3

To me, the only one that sounds wrong is:

I was biased with the idea that cats are evil.

I much prefer biased by there.

The others sound okay to me.

Please await other opinions.

Thank you! Are the rest something you would say or is there a more natural way to express the idea? By the way, I don't hate actually hate cats :) - Clevine, Jul 7, 2017

Obviously the last 3 are not the same as the first, but all sound perfectly natural. I might say I am prejudiced against.., slightly more often, but I could say any. :) - bosquederoble, Jul 7, 2017

You can also say I am biased against. Prejudice sounds a bit stronger, maybe more unreasonable. But that may just be me. :) - bosquederoble, Jul 7, 2017

I mean I am biased against cat lovers, is another option. :) - bosquederoble, Jul 7, 2017

This link (https://lingohelp.me/preposition-after-adjective/biased-towards-or-biased-in-or-biased-against/) showing how to used biased with various prepositions includes biased with sentences I don't like, but with gets a low percentage. - bosquederoble, Jul 7, 2017

So the biased with may be okay. The sentences biased with every statement, for instance sounds good to me, the one biased with quesadillas does not. - bosquederoble, Jul 7, 2017

If it is a chat I don't like or I dislike. You can soften it by 'I'm sorry I don't like cats' or lie and say I'm allergic to cats! - Mardle, Jul 7, 2017

Answer 4

I agree with Bosque that "biased with" sounds wrong. I am a native speaker of Midwestern American English.

Of all, I think "I am prejudiced against cat lovers" is the best. Or "I was prejudiced against cat lovers.". I don't think I would use "bias" at all.

we agree! - Mardle, Jul 7, 2017

Thank you! I guess that's the one that sounds the most natural out of them. - Clevine, Jul 7, 2017

Answer 5

Hi again Clevine,

I wanted to pick up on a question you asked in the comment section below my post, when you said/asked:

Thank you Feliz. I didn't know the word bias could be positive, what does it really mean towards? That you have the idea they are good people on thic case? - Clevine 1 hr ago

Here is a quote from my word reference.com. app (application) I have highlighted the word synonyms.

Synonyms: bias and prejudice both mean a strong and unfairly formed inclination of the mind or opinion about something or someone. A bias may be favorable or unfavorable: bias in favor of or against an idea. Prejudice implies a judgment already formed and even more unreasoning than bias, and usually implies an unfavorable opinion: prejudice against a race.

It is the bias that is favourable or unfavourable, and is not a judgement that the person is good or bad! Obviously we know that it is not good or acceptable for a person to prejudge another person based on the colour of their skin, their age etc...This is a bias but the word prejudice is clearer here as it shows the root words pre and judge to judge a person or a situation before you have all the facts!

I hope this helps