always take precedence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "always take precedence" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something is always more important or will always be considered before something else. Example: In the courtroom, the judge's decision always takes precedence over the opinions of the jury.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

They always take precedence, and that seems weird.

The New Yorker

Your long-term strategy should always take precedence.

The New York Times

"The sanctity of human life and the sanctity of human relationships should always take precedence".

The New York Times

He added that law enforcement and rescues always take precedence over the governor.

The New York Times

"Potatoes always take precedence" once the season begins in early spring, she said.

The New York Times

But when writing an artistic work, its immediacies, prerogatives and irresponsible vitality always take precedence.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

She said his columns always took precedence over his health.

The New York Times

But when it comes to the Republican primaries, dissembling always takes precedence over expertise.

The New York Times

Suppleness and drive of the rhythmic base nearly always took precedence over lyrical or vocal subtlety.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The eldest son of an earl, whatever his title, always takes precedence immediately after the viscounts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In Hardy's novels, Mr. Fowles observed, the reality always took precedence over the dream.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "always take precedence", ensure the context clearly defines what it is superior to. This clarifies the hierarchy and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "always take precedence" when exceptions exist. It's better to qualify the statement with 'usually' or 'generally' to maintain accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "always take precedence" functions as a declarative statement asserting the superior importance or priority of something over other things. It is used to establish a hierarchy where one element consistently outweighs others, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

8%

Academia

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "always take precedence" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that indicates something is consistently more important than something else. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Appearing across diverse sources like news articles, scientific publications, and business documents, it is used to establish definitive priority. When using "always take precedence", ensure the context clearly indicates what it is superior to, but be careful of overstating its absolute priority, as exceptions might exist. Alternatives such as "always come first" or "always be prioritized" can be employed to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

always come first

Focuses on order of importance rather than authority.

always be prioritized

Highlights the act of prioritizing instead of directly indicating dominance.

always be the priority

Emphasizes its status as the main focus.

always hold supremacy

Stresses superiority and dominance in all cases.

always supersede

Indicates something replaces or overrides everything else.

always be paramount

Focuses on the supreme importance of something in every situation.

always take the lead

Stresses its position as the leader or main element.

always have dominance

Highlights its persistent control or influence.

always reign supreme

Emphasizes the ultimate and constant authority it holds.

always be at the forefront

Focuses on its position as the most visible or important aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "always take precedence" in a sentence?

You can use "always take precedence" to indicate that something is more important than something else. For example, "Safety should "always take precedence" over speed".

What is a good alternative to "always take precedence"?

Alternatives to "always take precedence" include phrases like "always come first", "always be prioritized", or "always be the priority".

Is it correct to say "always take precedent" instead of "always take precedence"?

While "precedent" refers to a previous case or example, "precedence" refers to priority or importance. Therefore, "always take precedence" is the correct phrase to use when indicating that something is more important.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "always take precedence"?

The phrase "always take precedence" is suitable in contexts where establishing a clear hierarchy of importance is necessary, such as in legal documents, safety guidelines, or strategic planning.