precedence

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'precedence' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you are stating that something should be given priority or should come first before considering other things. For example: We must give precedence to safety when making any decisions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But there is recent precedence for centrist political forces suffering a temporary haemorrhage of support in order to defeat a greater evil.

The Guardian

The Bank of England declined to comment, saying: "In line with convention followed by public bodies, where precedence to criminal trials is afforded wherever possible, it would be inappropriate for the Bank to comment on an active criminal proceeding".

The Guardian - Business

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

The Guardian

Whatever the quality of the candidates, personality takes precedence over policy.

The Guardian - Opinion

"There are several irregularities, but a fundamental point is that a previous release order of habeus corpus was still in place, and my client was respecting its conditions, so it should have taken precedence over the second detainment order.

The Guardian - Sport

On the subject of leadership, some respondents argued Germany had demonstrated too much arrogance, while others sensed a reluctance – born of historical precedence – to assume control.

The Guardian

The possibility of a Greek default early next month appears to be moving closer as politicians in Athens raised the possibility that the paying of pensions and salaries over the next few weeks would take precedence over payments to creditors, with the 5 June scheduled payment to the IMF the first test.

The Guardian - Business

The reality of government has taken precedence over Eurosceptic instincts.

The Guardian

But for Treharne and many other sportspeople at university, their degrees take precedence.

The Guardian

If there were any remaining doubts that arms sales take precedence over human rights or concerns about exacerbating regional tensions, the British government has been unashamedly quashing them.

The Guardian

Those take precedence over religious obligations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "precedence", ensure it's clear what is being given priority over what else. Specify the competing elements to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "precedence" when you mean "precedent". "Precedence" refers to priority or importance, while "precedent" refers to a previous case or example that serves as a guide.

Linguistic Context

The word "precedence" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the condition of preceding in importance, order, or rank. Ludwig examples showcase how "precedence" operates within sentences to establish relative priority between different elements. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "precedence" functions as a noun indicating priority or higher importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and business contexts. It is important to not confuse it with "precedent". When writing, ensure clarity by specifying what exactly is taking "precedence" over other items. Consider related terms like "priority" or "primacy" for nuanced expressions. This guide provides a detailed overview to effectively incorporate the word "precedence" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precedency

A less common synonym for "precedence", emphasizing order or rank.

priority

Focuses more on importance in a specific context rather than a general state of being first.

primacy

Emphasizes being first in order or rank.

priority status

Emphasizes the formal assignment of a higher level of attention or resources.

pre-eminence

Stresses outstanding importance or superiority over others.

greater importance

Directly states the higher value or significance of something.

superiority

Highlights a higher quality or rank, not necessarily in a temporal sense.

higher rank

Directly indicates a position of greater authority or importance.

antecedence

Focuses on coming before in time, order, or logic.

seniority

Highlights rank or status based on age or length of service.

FAQs

How to use "precedence" in a sentence?

Use "precedence" to show that something takes priority over something else. For example, "Safety takes precedence over speed in this project".

What can I say instead of "precedence"?

You can use alternatives like "priority", "primacy", or "superiority" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "precedence" or "precedent"?

"Precedence" refers to the condition of being considered more important than something else, while "precedent" refers to a prior legal decision used as a basis for later ones. They have distinct meanings.

When should children's rights take "precedence"?

Children's rights should take "precedence" in situations involving their safety, welfare, and access to education and healthcare. Some argue that children's rights must take "precedence" in all circumstances.