give priority to

USAGE SUMMARY

"give priority to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize that one thing should be done before another. For example, "We need to give priority to finishing the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But to give priority to so many problems is to give priority to none.

The New York Times

GO NUCLEAR, and give priority to Indian businessmen over foreigners.

The Economist

They would also give priority to social spending.

The Economist

Instructors also tend to give priority to students attending class.

University of California, Berkeley

Should we give priority to the least well-off?

University of California, Berkeley

Also, give priority to the improvement of checkpoint screening.

The New York Times

Most municipalities also give priority to children over adults.

The New York Times

"We give priority to the disadvantaged areas," he said.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The cµ preferences give priority to the first tier.

Harvard University

"A manager tends to give priority to those who ask.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"They did not give priority to Washington's timeline".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "give priority to", ensure it's clear why the item or action is being prioritized. Provide context to justify the decision and enhance understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "give priority to" without a clear rationale. If the reason for prioritization isn't evident, the phrase loses its impact and can sound bureaucratic or meaningless.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give priority to" functions as a verb phrase used to indicate that something should be treated as more important than other things. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

29%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "give priority to" is a versatile and widely used verb phrase that serves to emphasize the importance of one thing over others. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Analysis of usage patterns reveals that it's most frequently found in news and media, scientific publications, and academic writing, reflecting its applicability across diverse fields. When using this phrase, clarity is key: always ensure the context makes clear why something is being prioritized. While alternatives like "prioritize" or "emphasize" exist, "give priority to" often provides a more direct and actionable directive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Prioritize

Single word alternative; less formal.

Give precedence to

More formal synonym emphasizing order of importance.

Emphasize

Focuses on highlighting importance rather than order.

Focus on

Implies concentration of effort; slightly less direct.

Place emphasis on

Highlights importance, but not necessarily order.

Concentrate on

Suggests a more intense focus or effort.

Afford importance to

More formal; emphasizes value or significance.

Favor

Implies a preference or bias towards something.

Accentuate

Focuses on making something more noticeable.

Highlight

Draws attention, but doesn't necessarily imply action.

FAQs

How to use "give priority to" in a sentence?

Use "give priority to" when you want to emphasize that one thing should be considered or dealt with before others. For example: "The government should "give priority to education".".

What can I say instead of "give priority to"?

You can use alternatives like "prioritize", "emphasize", or "focus on" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "give priority to" or "gives priority to"?

"Give priority to" is used with plural subjects or "I/you/we/they", while "gives priority to" is used with singular subjects or "he/she/it". For example: "They "give priority to" customer service," vs "He "gives priority to" research and development".

What's the difference between "give priority to" and "attach priority to"?

"Give priority to" implies actively making something a priority, while "attach priority to" suggests assigning a level of importance. Both are similar, but "give priority to" is more direct in implying action.