be given precedence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be given precedence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the importance or priority of something over others in a particular context. Example: "In this project, the safety of our employees must be given precedence over all other considerations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

It is recommended that water be given precedence over SP in the development of POFA-EGC.

Construction and Building Materials

"So whilst I have been invited to be there, my commitment to undertake a forum on domestic violence has had to be given precedence to".

The Guardian - Opinion

"Any complaint from the affected parties will naturally be given precedence by the commission, in line with its normal procedures," the watchdog said in a statement.

The Guardian

Applied to Iraq, this means BP, Royal Dutch Shell, Italy's Edison and France's Total should be given precedence over any domestic Iraqi firms that may emerge.

The Guardian - Opinion

Please note: The MIT logo is the Institute's primary mark and must be given precedence over the use of the MIT seal.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The drastic separation of families, so that women could be given precedence, gave him grounds to suspect that there were too few lifeboats.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Grad students are given precedence in enrollment.

Cornell University

Interrogations were given precedence over medical care.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ms. Stewart said she thought that such policy interests were given precedence over student services.

The New York Times

More than one contributor compared it unfavourably to European cities where cyclists are given precedence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is colonialism in the epoch of neo-liberal capitalism, and so US and "friendly" companies are given precedence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be given precedence" to formally state that something should be considered first or most important in a decision-making process or a set of actions.

Common error

Avoid assuming that if something is "given precedence" it is the only thing that matters. Precedence indicates priority, not exclusivity. Other factors may still need consideration, albeit after the prioritized element.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be given precedence" functions as a verbal phrase in the passive voice, indicating that something is designated as more important than something else. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from legal arguments to project management.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

36%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be given precedence" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that signifies the act of prioritizing one thing over others. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase appears across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia, denoting its broad applicability and formal tone. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines both what is prioritized and what it outweighs to maintain clarity and effectiveness. Alternatives include "be given priority" and "take precedence", offering subtle variations in emphasis and tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be given priority

Direct synonym focusing on the act of prioritizing.

be prioritized

More concise and direct passive form emphasizing the action of prioritizing.

take precedence

Active voice emphasizing the subject's action of being more important.

be considered paramount

Highlights the supreme importance of something.

be deemed most important

Focuses on the judgment or assessment of importance.

be treated as a priority

Emphasizes the manner in which something is handled.

be placed at the forefront

Spatial metaphor indicating top position in importance.

be given preference

Focuses on favoring one thing over another.

be regarded as crucial

Emphasizes the critical nature of something.

outweigh other concerns

Highlights the greater importance compared to other considerations.

FAQs

How can I use "be given precedence" in a sentence?

You can use "be given precedence" to indicate that something should be considered more important than other things. For example, "In this project, safety must "be given precedence" over cost."

What's the difference between "be given precedence" and "be given priority"?

While similar, "be given precedence" often implies a formal or structural ranking, whereas "be given priority" can refer to a more general sense of importance. Both phrases indicate that something is more important, but precedence suggests a more established order.

What are some alternatives to "be given precedence"?

You can use alternatives like "be given priority", "take precedence", or "be prioritized" depending on the context.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice when talking about precedence?

Both active (e.g., "Safety takes precedence") and passive (e.g., "Safety is given precedence") are grammatically correct. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the actor or the thing being prioritized. The passive voice is useful when you want to emphasize the thing receiving the priority.