take primacy over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'take primacy over' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is more important or has precedence over something else. For example: "In this case, safety should take primacy over speed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

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

State security forces had played a role in the improvement, the general said, but the main contributors had been militia that work alongside the military and often take primacy over it.

The Guardian

At the same time, the argument that national security can at times take primacy over privacy has been upheld in the past by American courts.

TechCrunch

Consider this: In West VIrginia, no less, the state Department of Environmental Protection is so widely denounced and inept that an alliance of citizens groups has recently called for the federal government to declare a state of emergency and take primacy over certain mining regulation issues.

Huffington Post

Mechanistic plausibility and utility therefore take primacy over OBJ value.

CPT: Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

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

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

The New Yorker

It also took primacy over his acting career as he increasingly devoted himself to organisational activities with the WRP.

The Guardian

"We are concerned this consideration took primacy over the country's abilities to respond to the threats, risks and uncertainties contained in the National Security Strategy.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take primacy over", ensure the context clearly indicates which element is considered more important and why. This will help avoid ambiguity and strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "take primacy over" when the difference in importance is marginal. This phrase implies a significant difference in priority, and overuse can weaken its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take primacy over" functions as a verb phrase indicating that one thing is more important or has a higher priority than another. This usage aligns with examples provided by Ludwig, where different entities or ideas are compared in terms of significance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take primacy over" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that indicates the greater importance or priority of one thing over another. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for expressing hierarchical relationships in a variety of contexts. While "take primacy over" is a less common expression it's found in news, science and encyclopedic contexts, and it's important to use it accurately. Ensure that the context clearly defines what is more important and avoid overusing the phrase when the difference in importance is negligible. Related alternatives include "take precedence over", "have priority over", and "outweigh", each offering a slightly different nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take precedence

Similar to "have precedence", but emphasizes the action of establishing priority.

have precedence

Formally expresses that something comes before something else in order or importance.

gain ascendancy over

Suggests a gradual rise to a position of dominance or influence.

outweigh

Suggests that something is of greater importance or significance.

supersede

Implies replacing something established with something new.

override

Indicates the power to disregard or cancel another decision or consideration.

trump

Informally suggests surpassing or defeating something else, often in a competitive context.

eclipse

Means to surpass or overshadow in importance or fame.

dominate

Implies control or influence over something.

take control of

Means to assume responsibility or direction.

FAQs

What does "take primacy over" mean?

The phrase "take primacy over" means to be more important than or to have priority over something else. It indicates that one thing should be considered or addressed before another due to its greater significance.

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

You can use "take primacy over" to show that something is more important in a specific situation. For example: "In this project, safety should "take primacy over" cost considerations."

What are some alternatives to "take primacy over"?

Alternatives to "take primacy over" include "take precedence over", "have priority over", or "outweigh". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "takes primacy over" instead of "take primacy over"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but their usage depends on the subject. "Take primacy over" is used with plural subjects or 'I/you', while "takes primacy over" is used with singular subjects (e.g., 'it', 'he', 'she').