should be given preference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be given preference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing choices or priorities, indicating that something is favored or prioritized over others. Example: "In this situation, the safety of the workers should be given preference over production speed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Perhaps conservative professors (if there are any) should be given preference for tenure for the sake of diversity????

University of California, Berkeley

Countries that develop democratic institutions, and thereby adopt power-sharing arrangements, should be given preference when allocating development assistance.

The New York Times

She said that at the very least, developers who plan to include a shelter should be given preference by the state.

The New York Times

In a system where maintenance has long been neglected, these measures also turn out to be cheaper than capacity addition and should be given preference in a period of scarcity of funds.

Utilities Policy

Almost six out of 10 say Jews should be given preference to Arabs in government jobs, 49% say Jewish citizens should be treated better than Arabs, 42% would not want to live in the same building as Arabs and the same number do not want their children going to school with Arabs.

The Guardian

Since it was recognized that the needs of bombed-out people of the Reich should be given preference over the needs of those in the East, the Reich Ministry has placed a considerable part of this furniture (over 19,500 tons) at the disposal of bombed-out people in the Reich....".. "52,828 Jewish lodgings were seized and sealed in favor of the bombed-out victims.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Clearly, a wealthy black student who attends an elite school should not be given preference to a poor white student who attends a less elite school.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But even if these symmetries were reasonable in the light of missing or uncertain experimental data (see discussion), they should not be given preference to further symmetries that could also be found in the retinotopic map, in particular meridional symmetry of cortical magnification, i.e., M is invariant under retinal rotations around the center.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

But in his presidential campaign, he has unsettled some black supporters by focusing increasingly on class and suggesting that poor whites should at times be given preference over more privileged blacks.

The New York Times

Should polling always be given preference over legitimate and experienced professional political judgment about who will make the strongest candidate?

Huffington Post

Should "an appropriate decision" be given preference over an "officially correct" judgment?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be given preference", clearly state the criteria upon which the preference is based to avoid ambiguity and ensure fairness.

Common error

Avoid using "should be given preference" without specifying the reasons for the preference. This can lead to perceptions of bias or unfairness. Always provide a clear justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be given preference" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express a recommendation or suggestion that something be favored or prioritized over something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should be given preference" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to suggest prioritizing one option over others. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in science, news, and academia. While alternatives like "ought to be prioritized" and "warrants prioritization" exist for more formal tones, clarity in stating the basis for preference remains crucial to avoid ambiguity. Remember to justify the preference to ensure fairness and transparency in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be prioritized

Replaces "should" with "ought to" and "given preference" with "prioritized", implying a moral obligation to prioritize.

deserves to be favored

Substitutes "should be given" with "deserves to be" and "preference" with "favored", suggesting a sense of merit or entitlement.

warrants prioritization

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise expression, using "warrants" to indicate justification for prioritizing.

merits special consideration

Shifts the focus to "special consideration" instead of direct preference, implying a careful and thoughtful evaluation.

is worthy of being chosen first

Emphasizes the act of choosing first, making it a more explicit and active selection.

must be at the top of the list

Uses a more informal and direct expression to convey the idea of highest priority.

demands to be considered first

Implies a stronger sense of urgency or necessity in being considered before others.

takes precedence

A shorter, more formal way of saying something is more important. The meaning is therefore only roughly the same.

has priority

Simple change in phrase structure. Using the noun 'priority' instead of the verb 'preference'.

should be top priority

Slightly changes the wording to emphasize that something needs to be a top priority. Also, changes from a verb phrase to a noun phrase.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "should be given preference" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "ought to be prioritized" or "warrants prioritization", which convey a similar meaning with increased formality.

Is "should be given preference" the same as "should be given priority"?

While similar, "should be given priority" emphasizes the importance of something, whereas "should be given preference" implies a choice between options where one is more favored. They are often interchangeable, but context matters.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "should be given preference"?

Use "should be given preference" when you want to suggest that one option is more suitable or advantageous than another based on specific criteria or considerations.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "should be given preference"?

A common mistake is failing to provide a clear reason or justification for the preference. Always explain why something "should be given preference" to ensure clarity and avoid misunderstandings.