take precedence

USAGE SUMMARY

'take precedence' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something is more important or comes first in a particular order. For example, "Safety must take precedence over all other concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But politics take precedence.

The New York Times

Whose needs take precedence?

The New York Times - Magazine

Does that take precedence?

The Guardian - Sport

Whose will take precedence?

The Washington Post

Its laws take precedence.

The Guardian - Opinion

They take precedence over democracy".

The New York Times

Rules take precedence over Clutter.

Cornell University

Those take precedence over religious obligations.

The Guardian - Opinion

After Friday 29th we take precedence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So many other factors take precedence.

The New York Times

Thoroughness will take precedence over timeliness".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take precedence" when you want to clearly establish a hierarchy of importance or a specific order of operations. For instance, "Safety protocols take precedence over efficiency in this laboratory."

Common error

Avoid using "take precedence" when simply describing a sequence of events without implying importance. Instead of saying "Lunch takes precedence at noon", which is incorrect, state: "Lunch is scheduled for noon."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take precedence" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something is of higher importance or priority than something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and acceptable usage. It's used to establish a hierarchy or order of importance in various situations, as demonstrated by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take precedence" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate that something is more important than something else. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently encountered in writing. It’s particularly common in "News & Media", academic, and scientific contexts. When using "take precedence", ensure you're establishing a clear hierarchy and not just describing a sequence. Alternatives like "have priority" or "come first" can be used for semantic variation. Remember that patient safety must "take precedence" over economic considerations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have priority

Emphasizes the state of being more important, focusing on the possession of priority.

come first

A more direct and simple way of expressing that something should be considered before other things.

outweigh

Focuses on the significance of something being greater than something else.

supersede

Implies replacing or overriding something else, often used in formal contexts.

override

Suggests a direct overruling of another consideration or action.

rank higher

Indicates a hierarchical order where something is positioned at a superior level.

be paramount

Highlights the supreme importance of something, suggesting it's of the highest concern.

have the upper hand

Suggests having control or advantage over other factors or considerations.

hold sway

Indicates a dominant influence or power over something else.

be more significant

Directly states that something is of greater importance or consequence.

FAQs

How to use "take precedence" in a sentence?

Use "take precedence" to indicate that something is more important or should be considered first. For example, "In case of emergency, safety will "take precedence" over all other concerns."

What can I say instead of "take precedence"?

You can use alternatives like "have priority", "come first", or "outweigh" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "take precedence" or "takes precedence"?

"Take precedence" is correct when referring to a general rule or when used with plural subjects. "Takes precedence" is used with singular subjects. For example, "Safety measures take precedence" versus "This safety measure takes precedence".

What's the difference between "take precedence" and "supersede"?

"Take precedence" means to be more important or come before something else, while "supersede" means to replace or override something. If a new rule supersedes an old one, it no longer applies; if safety takes precedence, it is more important than other concerns.