take preference over

USAGE SUMMARY

"take preference over" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when one thing is preferred or given more importance than something else. For example, "In this situation, safety must take preference over convenience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

Last weekend's 38-34 defeat at St Helens was the sixth time the defending champions have lost by four points or fewer this season, and while Ferres admits the performance in itself yielded plenty of positives, he acknowledged the stage has been reached when results take preference over performances.

The Guardian - Sport

Christians (maybe or maybe not including Catholics) take preference over Jews and certainly Muslims.

Huffington Post

Not because I was particularly wedded to the old translation, but I wished that other priorities, such as separating governance leadership from ministry and more attention to social justice issues, would take preference over updating the 1973 English translation of the liturgy.

Huffington Post

The major drawback of the Cox-2 inhibitors/NSAID controversy is that we are unable to treat our patients' pain adequately; this will continue to be true while the risks of treatment continue to take preference over the benefits of treatment and informed choice.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Adhere to any and all safety precautions set forth by the manufacturer which take preference over this wikiHow.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But with a gap of eight points between the defending Super League champions, Leeds, and the top eight, points are now taking preference over performance for the Rhinos.

The Guardian - Sport

Every performance, every musical cue and every camera angle is dialled up to 11 with broad physical comedy taking preference over genuine wit and dialogue often drowned out in screeching.

The Guardian - Film

Furthermore, mathematical brilliance and elegance has sometimes taken preference over practical, general purpose, hands-on approaches when dealing with these problems.

Springer

"Juergen Braehmer is the next mandatory but who knows if that will materialise because if a unification came in, that automatically takes preference over a mandatory.

BBC

After he died, jokes took preference over sincerity in almost any situation, because the idea of picking at wounds and revealing the fragile human beneath was about the most terrifying thing I could comprehend.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take preference over", ensure that the context clearly indicates why one thing is being prioritized over another. Providing a rationale enhances clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "take preference over" without specifying the criteria for prioritization. Stating simply that A takes preference over B without explaining why can lead to confusion and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take preference over" functions as a verb phrase indicating that one option or factor is considered more important or is prioritized in comparison to another. It expresses a choice or decision-making process where values are weighed against each other as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take preference over" signifies the act of prioritizing one thing over another, indicating its higher importance or value. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and used to express a deliberate choice or decision based on a specific context. Its use spans across various domains, including news, science, and general informational content. While not as frequent as simpler alternatives like "prefer" or "prioritize", it adds a layer of emphasis to the act of prioritization. When employing this phrase, it's essential to provide clear justification for the preference to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prefer

Indicates a choice based on liking or suitability.

give precedence to

Implies a formal or structural order of importance.

give priority to

Emphasizes the act of granting precedence.

consider more important than

Directly states the higher significance.

rank higher than

Explicitly states the order of importance.

prioritize

Focuses on actively assigning higher importance.

favor

Suggests a bias or inclination towards something.

place greater emphasis on

Focuses on where attention and resources are directed.

value more than

Highlights a higher level of appreciation or worth.

elevate above

Suggests raising something to a higher status.

FAQs

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

Use "take preference over" to indicate that one thing is considered more important or is prioritized over another. For example, "In this project, quality must "take preference over" speed".

What's a simple way to say "take preference over"?

You can use simpler alternatives like "prefer", "prioritize", or "favor" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For instance, instead of "Safety should "take preference over" convenience", you could say "Safety should be preferred".

Is it more formal to use "take precedence over" instead of "take preference over"?

Yes, "take precedence over" is generally considered more formal. While ""take preference over"" is perfectly acceptable, "take precedence over" implies a more official or structured prioritization.

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

"Take preference over" emphasizes the act of choosing one thing because it is considered more important in a given context, while "prefer" simply indicates a liking or inclination. "We "take preference over" candidates with experience" highlights that experience is the key factor in the selection process.