The raw material, in the matching process, is a mass of stated preference: your desire or intolerance for certain traits and characteristics.

NEWYORKER: Looking for Someone

Some research has suggested that it is men, more than women, who yearn for marriage, but this may be merely a case of stated preference.

NEWYORKER: Looking for Someone

Popular culture has grown so inured to government proffered solutions for every perceived problem that people attribute any stated preference as seeking an imposition of state.

FORBES: Answering The Critics Of Limited Government

Apart from a stated preference and dedication to Microsoft's Windows Phone OS, savvy geeks on the cusp of the next best thing won't necessarily want what the 900 has to offer, especially in light of that other spotlight-stealing flagship, the One X.

ENGADGET: Nokia Lumia 900 review Mobile

He also stated his preference for using the military, not the CIA, to carry out such strikes.

NPR: Drone Strike Comes Despite Transparency Pledge

He was unsure when Parreira would start in his new job but the Brazilian has already stated a preference for the beginning of 2007.

BBC: Parreira takes charge of SA

The overwhelming majority of respondents stated their preference for dividend-paying stocks.

FORBES: Investors Think Positive And Seek Dividends

He's never taken the option of using military force off the table, but he's also stated a preference for the soft power of diplomacy without explaining how he would create the leverage to stop Iran.

NPR: Obama Must Manage Great Expectations

As is stated I think at least twice in the letter, the preference, strongly, as communicated both in the letter, by the President and by members of this administration to the government was that this individual continue to serve the sentence -- his sentence where he was.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing