on a priority basis

USAGE SUMMARY

"on a priority basis" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is used to describe an activity that needs to be done quickly or urgently because it is more important than the other activities that need to be done. For example: "We need to finish this project on a priority basis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

They could then take the data from the canal floor and compare the signature... the size, readings and so on to the hits from the canal floor and those would become our prime targets to dig on a priority basis, meaning the ones that were most likely to be a gun, those were the ones we focused on first.

Huffington Post

"We're funding loans on a priority basis," a spokeswoman, Suzanne Lopez, said.

The New York Times

"We are now taking responsible steps to address this problem on a priority basis".

The New York Times

Completion of the assessments should occur on a priority basis in the order listed above.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In contrast to such piecemeal projects, the Southampton program is comprehensive and implemented on a priority basis, Ms. Wagner said.

The New York Times

The National Disaster Management Authority, which oversees disaster relief, said it was issuing travel permits on a priority basis.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

1 to 8 inclusive 1177 3207 27 73 1184 3200 1008 3376 It is thus apparent that whether a division be proportioned to total acreage or to tota diversion requirements or be made on a strict priority basis, there would be no substantial difference except as to the first 1500 second feet.

Cornell University

Further, it will work with the servicer to ensure that the form is processed on a high-priority basis.

Johns Hopkins University

It's something we've been looking into on a non-priority basis.

Los Angeles Times

In her opinion, the Government of Ukraine on priority basis should improve a health care system and address child poverty.

Unicef

Its services are available on the priority basis to members but also to organisations, institutions and authorities concerned with higher education, as well as to individual policy and decision-makers, specialists, administrators, teachers, researchers and students.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on a priority basis", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being prioritized and why. For example, "We will address customer complaints on a priority basis to improve satisfaction."

Common error

Avoid using "on a priority basis" without defining clear criteria for prioritization. For example, stating that "all tasks will be handled on a priority basis" is impractical and can lead to confusion and inefficiency. Be specific about which factors determine priority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a priority basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate how an action is performed. It specifies that something is done according to a defined order of importance. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on a priority basis" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and demonstrates its use across various contexts, including news, science, and business. It serves the purpose of indicating that certain actions or tasks are being addressed before others due to their level of importance or urgency. While the phrase is appropriate for neutral to professional registers, careful attention should be paid to clearly defining the criteria for prioritization to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "as a priority" or "with high priority" can offer stylistic variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a priority

Omits the preposition "on" and article "a", resulting in a more concise phrasing.

on an urgent basis

Replace priority with urgent.

with high priority

Replaces "basis" with "priority", emphasizing the level of importance.

with precedence

Highlights the action of taking priority.

as a matter of urgency

Highlights the time-sensitive nature of the task.

first and foremost

Indicates that something is the most important consideration.

before anything else

Emphasizes that something must be done before other tasks.

at the earliest opportunity

Suggests taking care of the matter very soon.

with top billing

Highlights the top priority level.

as the first order of business

Specifies order and timing in relation to other tasks.

FAQs

How can I use "on a priority basis" in a sentence?

You can use "on a priority basis" to indicate that certain tasks or issues are addressed before others due to their importance. For instance, "The company is addressing security vulnerabilities "on a priority basis" to protect customer data."

What are some alternatives to saying "on a priority basis"?

Alternatives include phrases like "as a priority", "with high priority", or "as a matter of urgency", which can add variety to your writing.

Is there a difference between "on a priority basis" and "on a preferential basis"?

While both phrases suggest giving something special attention, "on a priority basis" implies a ranking of importance, whereas "on a preferential basis" suggests favoring one thing over another, potentially without a clear hierarchical structure.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "on a priority basis"?

It's appropriate to use "on a priority basis" when you need to communicate that certain actions or items are being handled with greater urgency or importance than others. This is common in project management, customer service, and emergency response scenarios.