take primacy

USAGE SUMMARY

"take primacy" is a valid phrase in written English and is used to describe a situation in which one entity has primary authority or control.
For example, "The CEO of the company took primacy over the hiring process, ensuring the right person was chosen for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"If they take primacy, this indicates a huge malfunction in the structure of the security institutions.

The Guardian

But in states such as Burma and Zimbabwe, where no major western interests are at risk, values can take primacy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unlike in Agee and Evans's book, the pictures take primacy; Waits's contributions are short, minimal and scattered sparsely through this large-format volume.

The Guardian - Books

Douglas Carswell MP, for example, believes that there is a conflict between restorative justice and plain justice: "Some people tend to think that rehabilitation should take primacy over punishment.

The Guardian

The fight for the city has become one of the most important battles in Iraq's nine-month war against Isis, during which irregular forces – backed and directed by Iran – have often take primacy over the national army.

The Guardian

The agreement outlines the extent to which West Ham take primacy during the football season, underlining the need for it to retain the "look and feel" of its home ground.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Basketball took primacy, and Ervin Braun founded a local A.A.U.

The New Yorker

Instead, Thatcher the tactician took primacy over Thatcher the ideologue.

Independent

Beginning in the 19th century, industrial employment took primacy over agricultural work in many countries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Metropolitan police took primacy in the investigation into the disaster.

The Guardian

In many endeavors, war included, the overarching story often takes primacy over the actual events.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take primacy" when you want to emphasize that one element or consideration is more important than others in a specific situation. It's particularly effective in discussions of strategy, priorities, and decision-making.

Common error

Avoid using "take primacy" when simply stating a preference. The phrase implies a more significant level of importance and authority, not just personal liking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take primacy" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that something is more important, has priority, or assumes a leading role over something else. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples where different entities "take primacy" over others in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take primacy" is a verbal phrase used to emphasize the superior importance or authority of something over something else. Ludwig analysis shows that it's grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "take precedence" and "take the lead" exist, "take primacy" specifically highlights a hierarchical relationship and leadership role. Ludwig confirms this is a valid and frequently used expression in contemporary English, making it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take precedence

Implies a prior right or greater importance in order or rank.

take the lead

Focuses on the act of initiating or directing an action or process.

assume control

Emphasizes the act of gaining control or authority over something.

become dominant

Suggests a rise to a position of power or influence, often in a competitive context.

gain ascendancy

Highlights the process of rising to a position of superior influence or power.

hold sway

Implies a controlling influence or power over someone or something.

take command

Focuses on assuming a leadership role or position of authority.

supersede

Indicates replacing something previously in place with something of greater importance.

outrank

Specifically refers to holding a higher rank or position than another.

dominate

Emphasizes control and power over others.

FAQs

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

You can use "take primacy" to indicate that something is more important than something else. For example, "Safety concerns must "take precedence" and "take primacy" over cost considerations in this project."

What's a synonym for "take primacy"?

Synonyms include phrases like ""take precedence"", "take priority", or "take the lead", depending on the specific context.

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

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "take primacy" with plural subjects and "takes primacy" with singular subjects. For example, "Safety concerns take primacy", but "Safety concern takes primacy."

In what situations is "take primacy" most appropriately used?

"Take primacy" is best used in formal contexts when discussing priorities, strategies, or decision-making processes where one aspect is given greater weight or importance than others. The other usages depend on the context.