principle of priority

USAGE SUMMARY

"principle of priority" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the idea that people or things should be dealt with in order of importance. For example, "The principle of priority dictates that urgent matters should be attended to before any other less important tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The equitable apportionment which Nebraska seeks is based on the principle of priority of appropriation applied interstate.

Cornell University

One of the cornerstones of stability and recognition of intellectual contributions to scientific names is the principle of priority, which states that the first published name is the name to be used.

The Guardian

The Court of Appeals cannot write the principle of priority into the statute as an indirect result of its power to scrutinize legal errors in the first of an allowable series of administrative actions.

Cornell University

It should be noted, moreover, that that method of apportionment, though not strictly adhering to the principle of priority, gives it great weight and does not cause as great a distortion as might appear to be the case.

Cornell University

This phenomenon is in line with the operational principle of priority traffic management.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Thus A. crenata was rejected under the principle of priority, and is now regarded as a nomenclatural synonym of A. cuneatus.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Solution of this narrow problem likewise did not require complete abrogation of the principles of priority and interstate judicial apportionment.

Cornell University

The decision "seems to challenge core principles of priority setting, funds allocation, and competition" at NIH, says Anthony Mazzaschi of the Association of American Medical Colleges in Washington, D.C.

Science Magazine

Here, we recommend application of the principles of priority and stability, as laid down by G.G. Simpson in 1945, to discriminate among proposed names for high-level taxa.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The principle of giving priority to wholes rather than to parts was emphasized in teaching children to read, write, and count, and care was taken to reach a comprehensive view of the experiences of life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"In today's era," the editorial said, "the gun barrel should be placed over the hammer and sickle," and North Korea must pool its energies "into strengthening the revolutionary military from the principle of giving priority to the military over the workers".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the "principle of priority", ensure that the criteria for determining priority are clearly defined and consistently applied to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

A common mistake is to assume the "principle of priority" always means 'first come, first served'. It's crucial to remember that priority can be based on various factors like urgency, impact, or strategic importance, not just sequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principle of priority" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object in a sentence. As indicated by Ludwig, it is used to denote the concept that certain matters should be addressed or considered before others, based on their importance or urgency.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

31%

Academia

25%

News & Media

19%

Less common in

Wiki

19%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The "principle of priority" is a commonly used noun phrase that signifies the concept of addressing matters based on their importance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its usage spans across various contexts, including academia, science, news, and general knowledge, indicating its versatility. While it may appear simple, its correct application involves understanding that priority isn't always about sequence but can be determined by urgency, impact, or other relevant factors. When writing or speaking, clarifying the criteria for determining priority is crucial. Alternative phrases like "order of precedence" or "hierarchy of importance" may be suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

order of precedence

Focuses on the sequence in which things are considered, highlighting the arrangement aspect.

hierarchy of importance

Emphasizes a ranked structure where elements are valued differently.

scale of preference

Suggests a graded series based on liking or favoring one thing over another.

system of priorities

Highlights the structured approach to determining what is most important.

relative importance

Focuses on comparing the significance of one thing in relation to others.

principal concern

Indicates the main issue or matter that needs to be addressed.

prior consideration

Stresses the act of thinking about something before others because of its importance.

prime directive

Implies a fundamental rule that must be followed above all others.

guiding principle

Indicates a key rule or belief that influences decisions and actions.

cardinal rule

Emphasizes an unbreakable, fundamental guideline.

FAQs

How can I effectively apply the "principle of priority" in project management?

In project management, apply the "principle of priority" by identifying critical tasks that directly impact project goals and deadlines. Use tools like a priority matrix to categorize tasks and focus on the most impactful ones first. Regularly reassess "task priorities" as the project evolves.

What are some alternatives to saying "principle of priority"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "order of precedence", "hierarchy of importance", or "system of priorities" to convey a similar meaning.

How does the "principle of priority" differ from simply addressing tasks in the order they appear?

The "principle of priority" involves a deliberate assessment of importance and urgency, whereas simply addressing tasks in order disregards these crucial factors. Prioritization ensures that the most impactful or time-sensitive tasks are handled first, even if they aren't the most immediate.

In what ethical contexts might the "principle of priority" be most relevant?

The "principle of priority" is highly relevant in medical ethics when allocating scarce resources, in legal contexts when determining the order of claims, and in environmental ethics when deciding which conservation efforts should take precedence.