How to use prejudice in a sentence depends on whether the word functions as a noun or a verb. In everyday English, it usually describes an unfair opinion formed before sufficient knowledge, while its verb form means to harm someone’s chances, influence someone unfairly, or create a disadvantage And that's really what it comes down to. But it adds up..
Introduction
The word prejudice is common in discussions of fairness, social attitudes, education, employment, and law. Although many people recognize it as a negative belief about a person or group, its grammar can be confusing because it has more than one meaning. Understanding those meanings makes it easier to write sentences that are clear, accurate, and appropriate for the context.
What Does “Prejudice” Mean?
As a noun, prejudice means a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason, evidence, or direct experience. It often involves an unfair attitude toward someone because of characteristics such as race, religion, gender, age, nationality, disability, or social background.
For example:
- Her experience challenged the prejudice she had inherited from her community.
- The school introduced a program to reduce racial prejudice among students.
- He refused to let prejudice influence his judgment of a new classmate.
In these sentences, prejudice refers to an unfair attitude or belief Easy to understand, harder to ignore. That's the whole idea..
As a verb, prejudice usually means to place someone at a disadvantage or to cause someone to form an unfair opinion.
Examples include:
- The misleading headline could prejudice readers against the defendant.
- A serious illness should not prejudice a student’s chances of admission.
- The manager’s early criticism prejudiced the team against the proposal.
The verb is more formal than the noun and is especially common in academic, professional, and legal writing Nothing fancy..
Common Sentence Patterns with “Prejudice”
1. “Prejudice against” a person or group
The phrase prejudice against identifies the target of an unfair attitude Small thing, real impact..
- Prejudice against older workers can limit their employment opportunities.
- The novel examines prejudice against immigrants during the nineteenth century.
- Teachers must avoid allowing prejudice against any student to affect their decisions.
This is one of the most useful patterns because it clearly shows who is being treated unfairly No workaround needed..
2. “Prejudice toward” or “prejudice against” an idea
Both prejudice toward and prejudice against can describe attitudes, although against is more common when the attitude is openly negative Practical, not theoretical..
- The survey measured students’ prejudice toward unfamiliar cultural traditions.
- His prejudice against modern art prevented him from appreciating the exhibition.
- Education can weaken prejudice toward people from different backgrounds.
Choose the preposition that accurately reflects the direction of the attitude.
3. An adjective before “prejudice”
An adjective can identify the type of prejudice being discussed Surprisingly effective..
- racial prejudice
- religious prejudice
- gender prejudice
- social prejudice
- unconscious prejudice
- widespread prejudice
- deep-rooted prejudice
Example sentences include:
- The campaign was designed to confront racial prejudice in public institutions.
- Unconscious prejudice may affect decisions even when people intend to be fair.
- Deep-rooted prejudice cannot be eliminated through a single classroom discussion.
4. “Prejudice someone against” someone or something
When prejudice is used as a verb, this pattern means causing someone to develop a negative opinion before receiving fair evidence.
- The rumor prejudiced the committee against the applicant.
- A negative first impression may prejudice voters against an otherwise capable candidate.
- The teacher did not want one student’s complaint to prejudice her against the entire group.
This construction is grammatically correct, but it sounds formal. In casual conversation, phrases such as “make someone dislike” or “cause someone to judge unfairly” may sound more natural The details matter here. No workaround needed..
5. “Prejudice” meaning harm or weaken
The verb can also mean that an action harms a right, opportunity, result, or position.
- The delay could prejudice the company’s ability to complete the project.
- Releasing the evidence early might prejudice the fairness of the trial.
- Missing the deadline may prejudice your application.
Here, prejudice does not necessarily describe a personal attitude. Instead, it indicates that something has been placed at a disadvantage.
“Prejudice” as a Countable and Uncountable Noun
Prejudice can be either uncountable or countable, depending on its meaning.
When it refers to unfairness as a general concept, it is usually uncountable:
- Prejudice has no place in a fair classroom.
- The organization works to fight prejudice and exclusion.
When it refers to several distinct biased beliefs, the plural prejudices is possible:
- The character gradually abandons the prejudices learned during childhood.
- We all need to examine our assumptions and prejudices.
The plural form is less common, but it is useful when discussing multiple specific beliefs That's the part that actually makes a difference..
Prejudice, Bias, and Discrimination
These related words are not exact synonyms:
- Bias is a tendency or inclination that may be conscious or unconscious.
- Prejudice is a preconceived judgment, usually an unfair one.
- Discrimination is unfair behavior or treatment resulting from prejudice or bias.
Compare these sentences:
- The researcher acknowledged a possible bias in the sampling method.
- Prejudice led the group to reject the applicant without reviewing the evidence.
- Discrimination occurred when qualified candidates were denied interviews because of their age.
A person may hold prejudice internally, but discrimination involves an action or consequence. This distinction is especially important
in legal and professional settings, where precise language can affect outcomes and accountability And it works..
Here's one way to look at it: in employment law, a claim of discrimination requires evidence of unfavorable treatment, whereas a claim of prejudice may relate to attitudes or assumptions that influenced those decisions. In court proceedings, a judge might rule that certain evidence was inadmissible because releasing it could prejudice the defendant's right to a fair trial — a usage that has nothing to do with personal bias and everything to do with protecting a procedural outcome No workaround needed..
Understanding these differences also improves everyday communication. When people use bias and prejudice interchangeably, the nuances of each concept can become blurred. Recognizing that bias can exist without prejudice, and that prejudice can lead to discrimination, allows for more accurate and productive conversations about fairness and justice.
Common Collocations with "Prejudice"
Certain words frequently appear alongside prejudice, and knowing these pairings helps with both writing and comprehension:
- Prejudice against — a negative attitude directed at a person or group
- She faced prejudice against her nationality during the hiring process.
- Prejudice toward — similar to "against," but slightly softer in tone
- His prejudice toward older workers influenced the team's decisions.
- Hold a prejudice — to maintain a biased belief
- Many people hold prejudices they have never examined.
- Overcome / overcome prejudice — to move past unfair assumptions
- Education helped the community overcome its prejudice toward outsiders.
- Arbitrary prejudice — prejudice without rational basis
- The policy was based on arbitrary prejudice rather than evidence.
These collocations appear often in formal writing, journalism, and academic discussion. Familiarity with them makes the word easier to use naturally in a range of contexts Simple, but easy to overlook..
A Brief Historical Note
The word prejudice entered English in the 14th century from Old French prejugé, which itself derived from Latin praeiudicium, meaning "a previous judgment." Originally, it carried a broadly legal meaning — a judgment made before a case was heard. Over time, its usage expanded to cover personal and social biases, and it became closely associated with racial and cultural discrimination, particularly during the civil rights movements of the 20th century.
This history explains why prejudice still feels especially weighty in modern discourse. It is not merely a general negative opinion; it carries the implication that a judgment was formed prematurely and without justification.
Conclusion
Prejudice is a versatile and deeply significant word in the English language. As a verb, it can describe the shaping of negative opinions or the weakening of rights and opportunities. As a noun, it can refer to both a broad societal problem and individual biased beliefs. When placed alongside bias and discrimination, it occupies a distinct conceptual space — one that highlights the role of preconceived judgment in shaping both attitudes and actions.
Mastering the various uses of prejudice is not only a matter of vocabulary but also a step toward clearer, more responsible communication. In discussions about justice, fairness, and human interaction, the precision of language matters — and prejudice is a word that deserves to be understood fully and used thoughtfully.
