take preference

USAGE SUMMARY

"take preference" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means to choose or prioritize something over other options. Example: "Although I enjoyed both desserts, the chocolate cake takes preference over the apple pie for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Which cities take preference?

The Guardian - Music

The judges will take preference to images taken in free and wild conditions".

The Guardian - Arts

For the past three decades, this belief that wellbeing should take preference over material growth has remained a global oddity.

The Guardian

There may come a time at some point down the line where other races may take preference, but for 2015, it's the Tour.

The Guardian - Sport

The housing will be awarded by lottery, but residents of Harlem will take preference for at least 30percentt of the units, city officials said.

The New York Times

Supporters of the plan say this will take preference flows out of the hands of "backroom operators" and give a greater say to individual voters.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

First, we do not always take preferences to establish non-arbitrary distinctions.

SEP

Right decision at right time Offering opportunity to take preferences of huge measures of healthcare information, and prescription of proper mediation to the patient at right time.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

Game theory studies decision makers (autonomous agents) that have actions to take, preferences that what they want, different options which they can choose etc.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

Trade deals involve striking bargains, give and take, preferences to some and sacrifices for others.

Huffington Post

This result points to the need to take preferences into account in designing any financing scheme.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take preference" when you want to clearly indicate that one option or consideration is being favored or given priority over others. It's suitable in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "take preference" when describing personal tastes or likes without a clear rationale for prioritization. It's better suited for situations where there's a logical basis for choosing one thing over another, rather than just a subjective feeling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take preference" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of prioritizing or favoring one thing over another. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and implies choosing or prioritizing something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take preference" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that indicates the act of prioritizing or favoring something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity and practical use. This phrase appears most often in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, denoting its versatility across different communication styles. While "take preference" is suitable for various scenarios, it's best used when a logical basis for prioritization exists. Alternatives like "prioritize" and "give priority to" can be used for similar effect, depending on the specific nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prioritize

Directly implies assigning higher importance or urgency.

give priority to

Emphasizes granting a higher level of attention or resources.

favor

Suggests a leaning towards one option over others.

prefer

Highlights a personal choice or inclination.

opt for

Indicates making a deliberate selection.

choose over

Explicitly states the selection of one thing in place of another.

place emphasis on

Focuses on highlighting importance.

value more

Indicates a higher level of appreciation or worth.

select over

Implies choosing something from available options.

pick over

Casual and informal, similar to 'choose over'.

FAQs

How can I use "take preference" in a sentence?

You can use "take preference" to indicate that something is prioritized over something else. For instance, "In this project, safety should "take preference" over speed".

What are some alternatives to "take preference"?

Alternatives include phrases like "prioritize", "give priority to", or "favor", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "takes preference" or "take preference"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "takes preference" with singular subjects (e.g., "efficiency takes preference"), and "take preference" with plural subjects (e.g., "these considerations take preference").

What's the difference between "take preference" and "prefer"?

"Take preference" implies a deliberate and often reasoned decision to prioritize something. "Prefer" indicates a personal liking or inclination, which may not always involve a structured decision-making process. For example "I prefer tea" vs "In this situation, a conservative approach should "take preference"".