a higher priority

USAGE SUMMARY

"a higher priority" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is more important or has a greater level of urgency compared to other things. Example: "In order to meet our deadline, finishing the project on time should be a higher priority than attending the conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"What's a higher priority?" she asked.

The New York Times

It's becoming a higher priority for all lobbying firms.

The New York Times

"He was a higher priority for other teams".

The New York Times - Sports

"Right now the draft is a higher priority".

The New York Times - Sports

He has made international organized crime a higher priority.

The New York Times

"They should have been given a higher priority".

The New York Times - Science

Fighting institutional cruelty is currently a higher priority!

The Washington Post

As men age, cardiovascular health becomes a higher priority.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Still, we should make the regulation of military and security contractors a higher priority issue.

Huffington Post

That seemed a higher priority to him than bringing jobs, industries to the state".

The New Yorker

Zungul loved to party, though scoring goals might have had a higher priority.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a higher priority", clearly define what is being compared. For example, "Completing the report is a higher priority than attending the optional training session."

Common error

Avoid using "a higher priority" without specifying what it is prioritized over. Saying "This is a higher priority" lacks context and can lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a higher priority" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a predicate nominative or object complement within a sentence. It identifies something as being more important than something else. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a higher priority" is a versatile phrase used to denote relative importance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is prevalent across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, serving to emphasize that one thing is more important than another. To enhance clarity, always specify what is being compared when using the phrase. Related phrases such as "a greater priority" and "a top priority" offer suitable alternatives for expressing relative importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a greater priority

Focuses on the magnitude of importance.

a more important task

Emphasizes the significance of the task itself.

a top priority

Indicates the highest level of importance.

the main focus

Highlights the central point of attention.

a pressing matter

Conveys a sense of urgency and importance.

a key objective

Highlights the importance as a goal to be achieved.

a primary concern

Highlights the main worry or issue.

a significant item

Emphasizes the weight or value of an item.

an urgent need

Indicates an immediate requirement.

a critical element

Highlights the indispensability of an element.

FAQs

How can I use "a higher priority" in a sentence?

Use "a higher priority" to indicate that one task, goal, or item is more important than another. For instance, "Ensuring customer satisfaction is "a higher priority" than minimizing costs in the short term".

What are some alternatives to saying "a higher priority"?

You can use phrases like "a greater priority", "a top priority", or "the main focus" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the higher priority" instead of "a higher priority"?

While "the higher priority" isn't inherently incorrect, ""a higher priority"" is generally preferred when comparing two or more items. "The higher priority" is better suited when referring to something already established as important.

What's the difference between "a high priority" and "a higher priority"?

"A high priority" indicates something is important, while ""a higher priority"" suggests it's more important than something else. The latter implies a comparison.