has to yield to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has to yield to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that one thing must give way or submit to another, often in a context of priority or authority. Example: "In a debate, personal opinions often have to yield to factual evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I think there's a decent argument for saying that when the grand jury is completely finished, maybe the secrecy has to yield to the public interest," Trachtenberg said.

Vice

"This is a policy conflict between the importance of integration and the importance of choice, and sometimes integration has to yield to parent choice," said Cindy Lavorato, an attorney who joined the case on behalf of the state's charter schools.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But empathy will have to yield to reason if humanity is to have a future.

The New Yorker

In 1896, Sibelius wrote: "I had to yield to the tonality stemming from ancient folk songs.

The New York Times

On that view, the "letter" of the law had to yield to its "spirit" or purpose.

Harvard University

They could be wayward while we always had to yield to the will of our parents.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the end, though, France has usually had to yield to Germany.

The Economist

The Zhou leaders had to yield to reality by establishing a rather weak control over the conquered territory.

Britannica

The first lesson of the September 11th attacks was that intelligence agencies have to work more closely; "need to know" had to yield to "need to share".

The Economist

They don't like that there's a prescribed order for tidying; they think you have to yield to what your client wants done and has time for.

The New York Times - Magazine

Although Charles had to yield to Eudes, he became king (as Charles III) on the latter's death in 898, and Fulk became his chancellor.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has to yield to", ensure the context clearly establishes which element is prioritized and the reason for the necessary submission. Maintain a consistent tone to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "has to yield to" when the context implies mutual compromise or negotiation. This phrase indicates a clear imbalance of power or priority, not an equal give-and-take.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has to yield to" serves as a modal phrase, expressing obligation or necessity. It indicates that one thing is required to give way to another. Ludwig's examples demonstrate how this phrase is used to show prioritization or submission in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has to yield to" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that one thing must give way or submit to another, often due to priority or authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, though more prevalent in neutral to professional settings like news articles and academic papers. While its frequency is relatively uncommon, understanding its proper usage ensures clear communication when expressing the necessity of submission or prioritization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to give way to

Focuses on the necessity of yielding for progress or resolution.

must defer to

Indicates a stronger sense of obligation or requirement to give way.

should give precedence to

Highlights the act of prioritizing one thing over another.

is required to submit to

Emphasizes a formal demand or rule necessitating yielding.

ought to submit to

Signifies a moral or ethical obligation to yield.

is obliged to concede to

Highlights a formal or legal obligation to give way.

is compelled to bow to

Implies a deferential act of yielding, often to authority.

should surrender to

Implies a voluntary act of giving in, though potentially unwillingly.

will be forced to acquiesce to

Underlines the lack of choice in the act of yielding.

is bound to succumb to

Suggests an inevitability of yielding due to overwhelming force or pressure.

FAQs

What does "has to yield to" mean?

The phrase "has to yield to" signifies that one thing must give way or submit to another, usually due to priority, authority, or necessity. It implies that one element is more important or powerful in a given situation.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "has to yield to"?

Use "has to yield to" when you want to express that something is subordinate to something else and must therefore be superseded or deferred to. For example, "In a debate, personal opinions often "have to yield to" factual evidence."

What are some alternatives to "has to yield to"?

Alternatives include "must defer to", "needs to give way to", or "is required to submit to", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "has to yield to" formal or informal?

The phrase "has to yield to" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is generally more common in neutral or slightly formal writing. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the piece.