have precedence over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have precedence over" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that one thing takes priority or is more important than another in a specific context. Example: "In this situation, safety regulations have precedence over personal preferences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 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

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

Besides, asks Mr Fukao, why should policyholders, who in bankruptcy proceedings have precedence over subordinated-debt holders, lose out first?In any case, the government needs to tread carefully.

The Economist

Mr. Cameron told the House of Commons on Wednesday that he had written to the governments of 15 other Commonwealth nations that recognize Queen Elizabeth as head of state urging their acceptance of a change in the succession rules set by the Act of Settlement, adopted in 1701, which stipulates that male children have precedence over their older sisters in succession to the throne.

The New York Times

He added that "criteria have precedence over timetable", feeding speculation that the single currency will be delayed.The European Union's farm ministers agreed that from 2000 beef exported from one member state to another would have to be labelled with its country of origin.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

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

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

They happen when he is waiting for the school bus, or in the shower (conversation still has precedence over privacy) or most recently, over breakfast.

The New York Times

The dukedom now passes to his only son, Hugh Grosvenor, 25, who through primogeniture has precedence over two older sisters, Lady Tamara and Lady Edwina.

The Guardian

By this he meant, I think, that the effect of the music on its listeners, and indeed performers, has precedence over its literal construction.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have precedence over", ensure that the context clearly defines the criteria that establish the hierarchy or order of importance. For instance, clarify whether it's based on legal grounds, ethical considerations, or practical necessity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that something having precedence in one context automatically grants it precedence in all contexts. Always specify the limited conditions where "something" have precedence over "something else".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have precedence over" functions as a comparative expression, indicating that one entity or concept is considered more important, prior, or superior to another in a given context. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase, and its usage across diverse sources indicates its widespread applicability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have precedence over" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that establishes a hierarchy or priority between two entities or concepts. As confirmed by Ludwig, its versatility allows it to be suitable across various contexts, from News & Media to Science. To maximize clarity, always specify the grounds for this precedence. Alternatives like "take precedence over" or "supersede" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas, ensuring precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take priority over

Uses the word "priority" instead of "precedence", maintaining the meaning of something being more important.

take precedence over

Changes the verb from "have" to "take", slightly altering the emphasis but maintaining the core meaning of one thing being prioritized.

rank higher than

Focuses on the hierarchical ordering, placing one item above another in terms of importance or status.

supersede

Replaces the entire phrase with a single word meaning to take the place of, offering a more concise alternative.

carry greater significance than

Focuses on the importance or impact of one thing over another.

outweigh

Shifts the focus to the relative importance or impact of one thing compared to another, suggesting a greater significance.

come before

Simple and direct, indicating that one thing must be addressed or considered before another.

override

Implies a direct action where one thing cancels out or negates the effect of another, suggesting a stronger form of precedence.

hold more weight than

Emphasizes the influence or importance of one thing over another.

be superior to

Highlights the higher quality or status of one thing compared to another.

FAQs

What does "have precedence over" mean?

It means that one thing is considered more important or takes priority over another. It implies a hierarchy or order of importance in a specific context.

When should I use "have precedence over" in my writing?

Use it when you want to clearly establish that one rule, consideration, or item should be given more weight or priority than another in a particular situation. For example, "Safety regulations "take priority over" cost concerns."

What are some alternatives to "have precedence over"?

You can use alternatives like "take precedence over", ""take priority over"", or "supersede" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has precedence over" or "have precedence over"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "has precedence over" when referring to a singular subject (e.g., "This rule has precedence over that one"). Use "have precedence over" when referring to a plural subject (e.g., "These rules have precedence over those ones").