take precedence over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take precedence over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which one thing or action is more important than another and thus takes priority. For example, "Safety protocols must take precedence over efficiency when working with hazardous materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Short-term political fights take precedence over long term strategic decisions.

The New York Times

They take precedence over democracy".

The New York Times

Those take precedence over religious obligations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thoroughness will take precedence over timeliness".

The New York Times - Sports

"That would take precedence over his music.

The New York Times - Arts

Back taxes, too, take precedence over claims from a condominium.

The New York Times

Should the parent's wishes take precedence over professional legal advice?

The New York Times

In football, clubs take precedence over the national team.

The Economist

In the meanwhile, racial politics take precedence over art.

The Economist

They take precedence over most everything in your life.

The New York Times - Magazine

Captain Crouch said, "Security needs take precedence over other concerns".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take precedence over", ensure that the items being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify which criteria determine precedence.

Common error

Avoid assuming that precedence is universally accepted. Clarify the context in which something "takes precedence over" something else, as different situations may have different priorities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take precedence over" functions as a comparative verb phrase indicating that one thing is considered more important or authoritative than another. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use denotes a situation where one element has priority.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take precedence over" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that one thing is more important than another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various writing contexts. Its frequent appearance in News & Media and Science demonstrates its relevance across diverse topics. When employing this phrase, clearly define the elements being compared to avoid ambiguity. While "take priority over" is a close synonym, "take precedence over" often suggests a more formalized or established order. Remember, while widely accepted, ensure the context supports the stated precedence, as different situations may have varying priorities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take priority over

A more direct synonym, emphasizing the order of importance.

have priority over

Focuses on the state of being more important.

outweigh

This alternative directly implies a greater importance or influence.

supersede

Suggests that something is replaced because the alternative is now more important or valid.

be more important than

A straightforward way of expressing greater significance.

override

Implies a direct nullification of something by something else more important.

prevail over

Suggests a winning or dominant position in importance.

rank higher than

Emphasizes a hierarchical order of importance.

dominate

Implies a strong influence and control in terms of importance.

trump

Informal, but conveys the idea of surpassing in importance.

FAQs

How do I use "take precedence over" in a sentence?

Use "take precedence over" to indicate that something is more important than something else. For example, "In emergencies, safety will "take precedence over" efficiency."

What's a formal alternative to "take precedence over"?

A formal alternative is "supersede", which implies replacement due to higher importance or validity.

How does "take precedence over" differ from "take priority over"?

"Take precedence over" and "take priority over" are very similar, but "take precedence over" implies a formal or established order, while "take priority over" can be more general.

When should I not use "take precedence over"?

Avoid using "take precedence over" in very informal contexts where simpler language like "is more important than" would be more appropriate and well understood.