precedence over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "precedence over" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
It means having greater importance or being considered more important than something else. Example: The safety of our employees takes precedence over meeting tight deadlines.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They take precedence over democracy".

The New York Times

"Winning takes precedence over all.

University of California, Berkeley

Rules take precedence over Clutter.

Cornell University

Those take precedence over religious obligations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Quantity has sometimes taken precedence over quality.

The New Yorker

Basketball took precedence over everything, including academics.

Columbia University

Exams take precedence over almost everything else.

Cornell University

"My family takes precedence over my career".

The New York Times - Sports

Principle had taken precedence over pragmatism.

The Guardian

Thoroughness will take precedence over timeliness".

The New York Times - Sports

That need took precedence over retaliation.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "precedence over", ensure the context clearly establishes a hierarchical relationship between the items being compared. Clarity is key to conveying the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "precedence over" when the items are not mutually exclusive. For instance, saying 'Efficiency takes precedence over accuracy' might be misleading if accuracy is also crucial. Instead, consider 'Efficiency is prioritized over sheer speed' when some degree of accuracy is still maintained.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "precedence over" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating that one entity or consideration is more important or takes priority compared to another. It establishes a hierarchical relationship, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Academia

28%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "precedence over" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote that one thing is considered more important than another. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from reputable sources across news, academia, and science. When using "precedence over", ensure you're establishing a clear hierarchical relationship, and be mindful of contexts where mutual exclusivity isn't present. Alternative phrases like "take priority over" or "outweigh the importance of" can offer varied emphasis and formality. The phrase's widespread use underscores its versatility in expressing relative importance across diverse communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take precedence

This alternative is just using the verb form instead of a phrase.

take priority over

Emphasizes the act of prioritizing something above others.

outweigh the importance of

Highlights a significant difference in value or consequence.

carry greater significance than

Highlights that the former has a more meaning, value, and impact than the latter.

supersede

Suggests a more formal and definitive replacement in importance or authority.

prevail over

Implies a victory or dominance in a situation of conflict or competition.

have more weight than

Focuses on the influential aspect of one thing compared to another.

rank higher than

Indicates a hierarchical order of importance.

override

Suggests a forceful negation or disregard of something less important.

be superior to

Emphasizes the quality difference.

FAQs

How do I use "precedence over" in a sentence?

Use "precedence over" to show that one thing is more important than another. For example, "In an emergency, safety takes "precedence over" efficiency".

What's a more formal synonym for "precedence over"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "supersede" or "outweigh the importance of" as alternatives to ""precedence over"".

Is it always appropriate to use "precedence over"?

No, be mindful of the context. Ensure a clear hierarchical relationship exists between the items being compared. If the items are equally important, ""precedence over"" may not be suitable.

What is the difference between "priority over" and "precedence over"?

"Priority over" indicates something is given more attention or resources, while ""precedence over"" suggests a higher legal or procedural standing. Both convey importance but in slightly different contexts.