precedence to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "precedence to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the priority or importance given to something over another. Example: "In this project, we must give precedence to safety over speed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It yields in precedence to all other questions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Brown said there was historical precedence to support his argument.

The New York Times

The purpose of giving precedence to full-power noncommercial stations is to serve local listeners.

The New York Times

Giving precedence to personal conscience over parliamentary decisions is now much more acceptable than ever before.

The Guardian - Opinion

Working with a smaller pie, Mr. Gore also gave precedence to the elderly over working families.

The New York Times

She began to dodge the limelight in 2007, to give precedence to Xi's political career.

The Guardian

Who wouldn't stand aside, to give precedence to the luckless creator of so many worthy women?

The Guardian - Books

Whatever their specific approach, progressive 20th-century composers everywhere clearly gave precedence to melodic-rhythmic energies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Captain Vostrikov's dilemma is whether to give precedence to his orders from the Kremlin or the lives of his men.

The New York Times

She said some of the men had been put below to give precedence to women and children.

The Guardian

As for London's fiction, Hampstead had ceded precedence to Highbury, Brockley, Willesden Green and other once-unfashionable areas.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "precedence to", ensure that the context clearly establishes which element is being prioritized and why. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your argument or explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "precedence over" when you mean to indicate that something is being given priority to something else. "Precedence over" describes a state of being more important, whereas "precedence to" indicates the act of giving priority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "precedence to" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically follows a verb like "give" or "take". It indicates that something is being assigned higher importance or priority over something else. Ludwig confirms this usage, showcasing its role in assigning relative importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Huffington Post

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "precedence to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates the act of giving priority or importance to something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is found across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias, maintaining a neutral to professional register. When employing this phrase, ensure the prioritization is clearly established to avoid ambiguity. While "precedence over" expresses superiority, "precedence to" denotes the act of assigning priority. Alternatives such as "priority over" or "importance to" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. With a strong expert rating, "precedence to" remains a reliable and effective choice for expressing prioritization in various forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

priority over

Indicates higher importance than something else. More direct and common.

preference for

Highlights a favored choice. Focuses more on subjective choice than objective importance.

importance to

Emphasizes the significance of something. A more general way to express value.

superiority to

Suggests a higher rank or position. Implies a hierarchical relationship.

greater weight to

Emphasizes the consideration given to something. Focuses on the act of evaluating importance.

more emphasis on

Highlights the stress or attention given. Centers on the degree of focus.

higher value on

Indicates greater worth or merit. Emphasizes the assigned value.

first consideration to

Highlights that something should be looked at before others. Focuses on the order of evaluation.

primary focus on

Suggests the main area of attention. Emphasizes concentration on a particular aspect.

the lead to

Highlights something leading over others. Emphasizes an advantage over others.

FAQs

How do you use "precedence to" in a sentence?

Use "precedence to" when you want to express that something is given priority or importance over something else. For example, "The company gives "precedence to" customer satisfaction over short-term profits."

What is a synonym for "precedence to"?

Synonyms for "precedence to" include phrases like "priority over", "preference for", or giving "importance to".

Is it correct to say "precedence over" instead of "precedence to"?

"Precedence over" and "precedence to" have slightly different meanings. "Precedence over" indicates a higher rank or status, while "precedence to" indicates the act of giving priority. For instance, safety takes "precedence over" speed. The company gave ""precedence to"" customer satisfaction.

Can I use "precedence to" in formal writing?

Yes, "precedence to" is suitable for formal writing. It's frequently used in academic, business, and news contexts to denote the act of prioritizing one thing over another.