priority should be

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "priority should be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when discussing what should be the focus of a task or how something should be prioritized. For example, "We need to find a solution to this problem; priority should be placed on devising a practical timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The first priority should be the National Health Service.

The Economist

The priority should be the benefit of the community".

The Guardian - Money

Analysts said his priority should be to slash investment.

The Guardian - Business

The priority should be the lowest-performing 30%.

The Guardian

The priority should be fixing the existing complex.

The New York Times

"The first priority should be maintaining a coalition," he said.

The New York Times

A priority should be ending forced prostitution, especially of children.

The Economist

"Our priority should be given to life saving," he said.

Independent

And our priority should be a seamless, comprehensive approach.

The New York Times

Our first priority should be to pursue clean energy.

University of California, Berkeley

In our search for preserved extraterrestrial life, priority should be given to the Mars Polar Regions.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "priority should be", clearly state the entity that should be doing the prioritizing to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "the government's priority should be" rather than just "priority should be".

Common error

Avoid using "priority should be" without a clear indication of how the priority will be implemented or measured. Vague prioritization statements can lead to inaction or misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "priority should be" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express recommendation, obligation, or necessity. It sets forth what is deemed most important or requires immediate attention, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "priority should be" is a versatile phrase used to express recommendations, obligations, or necessities across various contexts. Ludwig highlights its prevalence in news, science, and formal business settings, affirming its grammatical correctness and widespread use. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's important to specify who is doing the prioritizing to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "ought to be prioritized" or "needs to be the focus" can offer different shades of meaning, but "priority should be" remains a direct and effective way to convey what matters most.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be prioritized

Uses "ought to be" instead of "should be", implying a moral obligation or strong recommendation.

must be given precedence

Emphasizes importance using "precedence" and necessity with "must be given".

needs to be the focus

Replaces "priority" with "focus", shifting from importance to attention.

is essential to prioritize

Highlights the necessity of prioritizing something.

it is important to focus on

Replaces the passive voice with an active construction emphasizing the importance of focusing.

should be at the top of the list

Uses a more informal idiom to indicate high importance.

demands immediate attention

Emphasizes urgency and the need for prompt action.

warrants immediate consideration

Highlights the need for something to be considered promptly.

the main thing is to

Simplifies the expression to highlight the main action needed.

we should concentrate on

Shifts the focus to the action of concentrating on something specific.

FAQs

How can I use "priority should be" in a sentence?

Use "priority should be" to express what is most important or needs immediate attention. For example, "The first "priority should be" the National Health Service" indicates the NHS needs immediate attention.

What are some alternatives to saying "priority should be"?

You can use phrases like "ought to be prioritized", "needs to be the focus", or "must be given precedence" to express similar ideas with different nuances.

What is the difference between "priority should be" and "priority must be"?

"Priority should be" suggests a recommendation or strong suggestion, while "priority must be" indicates a stricter obligation or necessity. The choice depends on the context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "priority should be"?

While "priority should be" is in passive voice, it's often more direct to specify who should be doing the prioritizing. For example, "The government's "priority should be"" is clearer than just ""priority should be"".