prevail over

USAGE SUMMARY

"prevail over" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that one thing has overcome or triumphed over another. For example, "In the end, justice prevailed over evil."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

For most Russians economic and social rights definitely prevail over the political ones.

European Journal of Futures Research

Should history prevail over destiny?

The Economist

Coronations prevail over choices.

The New York Times

Should environmental purists prevail over pragmatists?

The New York Times

Bravado could prevail over brains.

The Guardian

Literary suggestion supersedes form; details prevail over wholes.

The New York Times

With Gauguin blood and sex prevail over ambition".

The New Yorker

Voters rejoiced that actual policymaking may prevail over politicking.

The Economist

"Neither party seems able to prevail over the other militarily.

The New York Times

In Gauguin, blood and sex prevail over ambition".

The Guardian - Arts

Sensible counsel must prevail over the counsellors of despair.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prevail over" to emphasize a significant victory or the overcoming of a major obstacle. It adds a sense of triumph and resilience to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "prevail over" in situations where a simpler verb like "win" or "succeed" would suffice. The phrase carries a strong connotation of overcoming adversity, so using it in trivial contexts can sound exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "prevail over" is that of a phrasal verb, indicating the act of being victorious or triumphant against an opponent or obstacle. Ludwig confirms this is a correct and usable phrase. Examples show it used to describe successes in various contexts, like "Sensible counsel must prevail over the counsellors of despair."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "prevail over" signifies triumph and victory, often in the face of significant adversity. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. Its neutral to formal register makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media and scientific writings. While alternatives like "triumph over" and "overcome" exist, "prevail over" carries a unique connotation of resilience and the surmounting of great challenges. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid exaggeration and maintain the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

triumph over

This alternative emphasizes a sense of victory and success in overcoming an obstacle.

overcome

A more general term suggesting the surmounting of a challenge or difficulty.

conquer

This implies taking control or dominion after overcoming resistance.

get the better of

An idiomatic expression indicating that one has gained an advantage or won against someone or something.

defeat

Focuses on the act of winning against an opponent or challenge.

dominate

Emphasizes the assertion of power and control, surpassing something else.

gain ascendancy over

Implies gradually gaining superiority or influence.

supersede

Suggests replacing something that was previously in effect or dominant.

outweigh

This alternative conveys that one thing is of greater importance or influence than another.

rise above

Focuses on transcending limitations or negative circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "prevail over" in a sentence?

The phrase "prevail over" signifies triumph or success against opposition. For instance, "Despite the challenges, determination helped them "prevail over" their difficulties."

What are some alternatives to "prevail over"?

Alternatives include "triumph over", "overcome", or "conquer". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "ultimately prevail over"?

While not strictly incorrect, "ultimately prevail over" can be seen as slightly redundant, as "prevail" already implies eventual success. Using just ""prevail over"" is often more concise.

What's the difference between "prevail over" and "have precedence over"?

"Prevail over" means to triumph or be victorious, whereas "have precedence over" means to take priority or rank higher. For example, "justice should "prevail over" corruption" versus "safety regulations "have precedence over" cost-cutting measures."