have precedence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have precedence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something takes priority or is more important than something else. Example: "In this situation, safety protocols must have precedence over speed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Pope Francis, for example, was a cardinal-priest.Even though cardinals have precedence over other Catholic prelates, what they hold is more of a title than a rank.

The Economist

If intelligence, justice, and morality are to have precedence in the Government, let the question of woman be brought up first and that of the negro last.

The New Yorker

Sometimes a count's nobility was better established and his fief greater than that of any marquis; sometimes a marquis with a royal patent should obviously have precedence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The plaintiffs are not arguing whether an older daughter should have precedence over her younger brother in the line of succession.

The Guardian

The paradox is that the kafala is not a law but a tradition that seems to have precedence over the labour law.

The Guardian

Surely, in the absence of a two-legged semi, the team with the best record – or the most tries – in that season's pool stages should have precedence?

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The stymieing of thought and of ideas has always had precedence in every epoch.

The New Yorker

And because omertà has precedence over the law, few mafia murders are solved.

The New York Times

"That one group has precedence is ridiculous," said Mr. Solomon, a painter and sculptor in East Hampton.

The New York Times

Primate, in Christianity, an ecclesiastical title for a bishop in some churches who has precedence over a number of other bishops.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For the first time the two parts of the empire were truly separate, except for the selection of consuls, in which Valentinian had precedence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have precedence", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being prioritized and what it is taking precedence over. For example, instead of saying "Safety must have precedence", specify "Safety must have precedence over cost-cutting measures."

Common error

Avoid using "have precedence" without clearly defining the scope of the priority. Ambiguous statements like "Efficiency should have precedence" can lead to misinterpretations. Clarify which aspects of efficiency are prioritized and under what conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have precedence" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something is more important or has a higher priority than something else. It is used to establish a hierarchical order or importance, as seen in Ludwig examples where legal statutes, traditions, or rules are positioned as superior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Science

28%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have precedence" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to indicate that something is more important or has higher priority. According to Ludwig AI, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science sources, with a neutral to formal register. To ensure clarity, it is important to specify what is being prioritized and over what. Alternatives such as "take priority" or "come first" can be used depending on the context. The phrase exhibits consistent usage and clear meaning, indicating a high level of reliability across various reputable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take precedence over

Explicitly specifies what is being given priority over, adding clarity to the relationship.

take precedence

Changes the verb from "have" to "take", creating a more active voice but maintaining the same meaning.

take priority

Replaces "precedence" with "priority", a synonym that also indicates importance or preference.

come first

An informal alternative that means to be the most important or to be considered before other things.

outweigh

Implies that something is more important or has a greater influence than something else.

supersede

Indicates that something replaces or takes the position of something else, often due to being superior.

override

Suggests the action of negating or canceling something else's effect due to higher authority or importance.

be superior to

Directly states that something is better or higher in rank or quality than something else.

rank higher than

Specifically refers to a hierarchical order where something is placed at a higher level of importance.

be paramount

Emphasizes the supreme importance or dominance of something above all else.

FAQs

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

You can use "have precedence" to indicate that something is more important than something else. For example, "In this legal case, federal laws "have precedence" over state laws."

What's a more formal way to say "have precedence"?

A more formal way to say "have precedence" is to use phrases like "take priority" or "supersede", depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "have precedence"?

You can use alternatives like "come first", "take precedence", or "outweigh" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "have precedence" and "take precedence"?

"Have precedence" implies a state of being more important, while "take precedence" suggests an active decision to prioritize something. The difference is subtle and they are often interchangeable.