priority over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "priority over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that one thing is considered more important or takes precedence over another. Example: "In this project, safety will take priority over speed to ensure the well-being of all team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Health must be a priority over profits.

The New York Times

First, roads should take priority over rail.

The Economist

This gives renewable electricity priority over conventional power.

The Economist

Both chemists claimed priority over discovering iodine's elemental nature.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I'd give that priority over treatment with protons.

Independent

Filling those theaters is taking the priority over smart programming.

The New York Times

Paid work could take priority over other very important crime.

The Guardian

Halting the bloodshed must take priority over apportioning blame.

The New York Times

Tradition, it seems, takes priority over humane slaughtering practices.

The Guardian - Opinion

And an obligation has priority over an option.

The Guardian

"They will take priority over everything.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "priority over", ensure that the items being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "This has priority", specify "This project has priority over other tasks".

Common error

Avoid using "priority over" when the items being compared are not mutually exclusive or directly competing. Incorrect: "Having a good attitude has priority over breathing." (Breathing is a necessity, not a competing choice).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "priority over" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a hierarchical relationship between two entities, where one is considered more important or urgent than the other. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and very common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "priority over" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that one thing is more important than another. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it’s widely used across diverse fields like science, news, and encyclopedias. While suitable for formal and informal contexts, its precision makes it particularly valuable in professional and academic settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the items being compared are clearly defined, and avoid using it when the items are not mutually exclusive. Alternatives such as "take precedence over" and "supersede" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take precedence over

This phrase is a more formal and direct substitute, emphasizing the act of one thing superseding another.

outweigh

Suggests that one aspect is of greater importance or influence than another.

carry more weight than

Conveys that one aspect has a greater influence or significance.

supersede

A single verb that indicates replacing something else, implies that one is now taking the place of the other.

rank higher than

Focuses on hierarchical importance or order between two things.

have prominence over

Indicates a higher degree of visibility or notability compared to something else.

be superior to

Highlights the advantage or better quality of one thing compared to another.

be preferred to

Expresses a choice or inclination towards one option over another.

come before

Emphasizes chronological or logical order, implying a necessary sequence.

have the edge over

Suggests a slight advantage or advantage over another option.

FAQs

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

Use "priority over" to indicate that one thing is considered more important than another. For example, "Safety should always take "priority over" speed in a construction site".

What's a more formal alternative to "priority over"?

A more formal alternative is "take precedence over". For instance, "Adhering to regulations must take precedence over cutting costs".

Is it correct to say "has priority on" instead of "priority over"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "priority" in this context is "over". "Has "priority over"" is the standard and grammatically correct phrase.

What's the difference between "priority over" and "preference for"?

"Priority over" indicates that one thing is more important and should be dealt with first, while "preference for" simply means you like one thing more than another. "Priority over" implies a necessary order or importance, whereas preference for reflects a personal choice.