given precedence

USAGE SUMMARY

"given precedence" is a valid phrase in English.
It is used to mean that something takes precedence or is given priority over something else. For example, "The safety of the workers was given precedence over cost savings".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Interrogations were given precedence over medical care.

The Guardian - Opinion

Grad students are given precedence in enrollment.

Cornell University

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

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

Construction and Building Materials

And this happens simply because the kafala is given precedence over the [national and international] labour law".

The Guardian

At the sprawling Bihar School, yoga is a lifestyle not a practice, and karma yoga is given precedence over asana.

The Guardian - Travel

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

The Guardian

By our law, the president's wife is a private citizen, although she is given precedence by courtesy.

The Washington Post

The line is required to satisfy the given precedence order on operations, inclusion, exclusion and accessibility constraints.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

"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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "given precedence", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being prioritized and what is being superseded. Clarity will help avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "given precedence" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The project was given precedence by the manager", consider "The manager prioritized the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "given precedence" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something is being prioritized or favored over something else. It highlights the recipient of the action (the thing being prioritized) rather than the actor performing the action. According to Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

47%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "given precedence" is a versatile and commonly used passive construction to convey that something is being prioritized. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and appears across a variety of contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. When using "given precedence", ensure clarity by specifying what is being prioritized and what is being superseded. While the phrase effectively communicates relative importance, consider alternatives like "given priority" or "taken precedence" to express subtle nuances in meaning. Remember to choose active voice constructions, such as “gave precedence” for concision and emphasis when appropriate. Avoid the common mistake of overusing this phrase when simpler vocabulary or active voice would provide superior clarity. Finally, the contexts from which "given precedence" arises most frequently are News & Media, Science and Academia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

given priority

Directly states that something is considered more important.

given primacy

Emphasizes the top-most importance assigned.

given preference

Focuses on the act of choosing one thing over another.

take precedence

Indicates that something actively overrides other considerations.

take priority

Focuses on the active choice to prioritize something.

giving preference

Action of favoring something.

received precedence

Highlights that something was prioritized.

given priority status

Indicates a formal assignment of higher importance.

deserved precedence

This suggests the prioritization is due to merit or entitlement.

given top billing

Suggests the item is at the top of a list or is first in line

FAQs

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

You can use "given precedence" to show that something is considered more important than something else. For example: "In this company, customer satisfaction is "given precedence" over short-term profits."

What are some alternatives to "given precedence"?

Some alternatives to "given precedence" include "given priority", "given preference", or "taken precedence". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "given precedence" or "gave precedence"?

"Given precedence" is a passive construction, while "gave precedence" is active. Both are grammatically correct, but they imply different focuses. "Given precedence" emphasizes the thing being prioritized, while "gave precedence" emphasizes the actor doing the prioritizing.

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

While similar, "given precedence" implies a formal or established order of importance, whereas "given priority" can suggest a more immediate or urgent need for attention. For example, "Safety is "given precedence" in the company manual", versus "This patient is "given priority" due to the severity of their condition."