be given priority over

USAGE SUMMARY

"be given priority over" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a situation where one thing is more important or takes precedence over another thing. Example: In times of financial crisis, essential services such as healthcare and education should be given priority over non-essential services like entertainment and luxury goods.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Xenophon does not believe one aspect can be given priority over the other.

The Guardian

Many women said they were thrilled to be given priority over men.

The New York Times

Doesn't that violate 'net neutrality' the idea that no bits should be given priority over others?

MIT Technology Review

2. Justice Stevens thinks it illogical that a merits question can be given priority over a statutory standing question (National Railroad Passenger Corp). and a statutory standing question can be given priority over an Article III question (the cases discussed post, at 4—6), but a merits question cannot be given priority over an Article III question.

Cornell University

In the current proposal, background checks at gun shows would be given priority over checks at gun stores.

The New York Times

The word "democratic" must always be given priority over the word "socialist," and broad coalitions are the lifeblood of democracies.

The Washington Post

The group does not specify the importance of other treatment goals that, in my opinion, should be given priority over aggressive blood sugar lowering.

Stanford University

It seems delusional to imagine that there is such a thing as an Iraqi central government that should be given priority over stopping ISIS and preventing a massacre.

The New Yorker

Employed residents who need to move for a job will be given priority over available social housing in their new areas.

The Guardian

Nothing, in other words, that indicates the real economy – the productive sector – will be given priority over the City's preference for reckless global speculation.

The Guardian - Business

Even more importantly, it means that lucrative voice traffic the service from which telephone companies still make most of their money can be given priority over data.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be given priority over", ensure that the context clearly identifies both the item receiving priority and the item being superseded. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "be given priority over" without specifying the criteria for prioritization. Clearly state why one thing is more important than another to avoid subjective interpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be given priority over" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that one entity or action is considered more important or urgent than another. It's commonly used to express preferential treatment or resource allocation, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be given priority over" is a commonly used expression to denote that one thing is more important or takes precedence over another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across diverse contexts. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its frequent appearance in news, scientific, and academic sources, reflecting its importance in discussions about resource allocation, policy, and ethical considerations. When using this phrase, clarity and explicitness are key; specifying why one item receives priority ensures that the message is well-received and avoids potential misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take priority over

Similar to the original phrase, but without the passive voice construction.

be given precedence over

Replaces "priority" with "precedence", emphasizing the order of importance.

be given preference over

Substitutes "priority" with "preference", highlighting the act of choosing one over the other.

be given primacy over

Employs "primacy" instead of "priority", stressing the state of being first in importance.

be given prominence over

Uses "prominence" in place of "priority", focusing on the degree of being noticeable or important.

be favored over

Emphasizes the aspect of being chosen or liked more than something else.

take precedence over

Changes the structure to an active voice, but still conveys the same meaning of taking importance.

have greater importance than

A more descriptive alternative emphasizing the level of importance.

outweigh

Expresses that something is of greater significance or impact than something else.

supersede

Indicates that something replaces or takes the position of something else, often due to importance or relevance.

FAQs

How to use "be given priority over" in a sentence?

The phrase "be given priority over" indicates that something is considered more important than something else. For example: "In emergency situations, saving human lives should "be given priority over" protecting property."

What can I say instead of "be given priority over"?

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

Which is correct, "be given priority over" or "take priority over"?

Both "be given priority over" and "take priority over" are correct. The first is in the passive voice, while the second is in the active voice. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and sentence structure.

In what contexts is "be given priority over" commonly used?

The phrase "be given priority over" is frequently used in discussions about resource allocation, policy-making, and ethical considerations across fields like medicine, economics, and environmental management.