an overriding imperative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overriding imperative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong and urgent necessity or requirement that takes precedence over other considerations. Example: "In times of crisis, ensuring public safety becomes an overriding imperative for government officials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Yet safety would seem an overriding imperative to insist there was a change of start time.

The Guardian - Sport

What they share, instead, is a dedication to party unity as an overriding imperative -- and a relentlessly improving track record of achieving it.

The New York Times

An overriding imperative in the United States, he says, should be to avert a drastic economic slowdown.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Precisely where the British spaceport would be sited will depend on a number of factors, but the overriding imperative of the licensing authorities will be to find a location that limits danger and inconvenience to the general public.

BBC

But there is also an overriding humanitarian imperative.

The New York Times

But there are no quick fixes and no right answers, beyond the overriding imperative of political cohesion.

The Guardian

While it is important not to simplify a complex issue, in broad terms critics argue that any progress made in seeking to break down barriers between police and communities has been set back by the overriding imperative to aggressively crack down before the World Cup and Olympics.

The Guardian - Sport

Communication remains the overriding imperative.

TechCrunch

The overriding imperative of any bureaucracy funded by the state is its own self-perpetuation.

Vice

"The overriding imperative is that this drug be used appropriately," Chrispin Kambili, global medical affairs leader for J&J's Janssen division, said in a telephone interview.

Huffington Post

"Clearly, large new oil and gas reserves would be inconsistent with our overriding imperative to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and combat the devastating impacts of climate change," Brown wrote.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an overriding imperative", ensure the context clearly establishes what other concerns are being superseded. This clarifies the importance of the imperative.

Common error

Avoid using "an overriding imperative" for routine matters. This diminishes its impact and makes your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overriding imperative" functions as a noun phrase that emphasizes the critical importance of something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and indicates something that must be prioritized above all else, as illustrated by the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overriding imperative" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the critical importance of something. While relatively rare, it effectively conveys the necessity of prioritizing a particular action or consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from diverse sources, primarily from News & Media outlets, showcasing its usage in contexts where highlighting urgency and importance is key. Using related phrases such as "a paramount necessity" or "a critical obligation" may provide alternatives for variety and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a paramount necessity

This alternative emphasizes the supreme importance of something, highlighting its role as the most crucial need.

a critical obligation

This phrase stresses the mandatory nature of the requirement and its essential role.

an absolute requirement

This alternative underscores the non-negotiable nature of the need.

a primary concern

This alternative focuses on the top-most issue needing to be addressed.

a supreme priority

This phrase highlights that something has the highest importance.

an essential prerequisite

This implies something must happen or exist before something else can occur.

a non-negotiable demand

This emphasizes that there is no room for discussion or compromise on the matter.

a cardinal necessity

This phrase highlights the fundamental and critical nature of the requirement.

the number one priority

This alternative expresses that something is the most important thing to consider.

the most pressing need

This underscores the urgency and importance of the requirement.

FAQs

How can I use "an overriding imperative" in a sentence?

You can use "an overriding imperative" to emphasize the critical importance of something, like in the sentence: "Safety is "an overriding imperative" when designing new machinery."

What are some alternatives to "an overriding imperative"?

Some alternatives include "a paramount necessity", "a critical obligation", or "an absolute requirement". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "overriding imperative" or "important imperative"?

"Overriding imperative" implies a higher level of importance and a need to take precedence over other concerns. "Important imperative" simply suggests that something is significant, without necessarily implying it should take precedence. Therefore, "overriding imperative" is stronger.

What is the difference between "imperative" and "overriding imperative"?

An "imperative" is a command or necessity. Adding "overriding" emphasizes that this particular imperative takes precedence over others. "An overriding imperative" suggests that it is more important than other considerations.