takes precedence

USAGE SUMMARY

"takes precedence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English, and means to have priority over something else.
Example sentence: "In times of emergency, safety always takes precedence over other considerations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The president takes precedence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Winning takes precedence over all.

University of California, Berkeley

More likely sevens takes precedence.

The Guardian - Sport

"But naturally baseball takes precedence".

The New York Times - Sports

If both are set, CCX_NPROC_CFD takes precedence.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If both are set, CCX_NPROC_VIEWFACTOR takes precedence.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"My family takes precedence over my career".

The New York Times - Sports

Above all, the group takes precedence.

The Guardian

Here, content takes precedence over style.

The Guardian

ruling takes precedence over all other international agreements.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Desire often takes precedence over prejudice.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "takes precedence" when clearly establishing a hierarchy of importance between two or more elements. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "takes precedence" when the context lacks clear justification or criteria for prioritization. This can lead to confusion and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "takes precedence" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that one thing has priority or greater importance than another. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a correct and usable phrase. The examples show its use in various contexts to establish order of priority.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

18%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "takes precedence" is a frequently used phrase that effectively establishes priority and importance. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness, supported by a wealth of examples across news, academic, and scientific domains. While versatile, it is essential to employ the phrase with precision, avoiding vague contexts to maintain clarity. For those seeking variety, alternatives like "has priority" or "is more important" offer similar meanings. Remember, using "takes precedence" correctly enhances the clarity and authority of your writing by emphasizing the proper order of importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has priority

This alternative directly states that something has priority, simplifying the original phrase.

is more important

This is a straightforward way of expressing that something is of greater importance.

outweighs

This suggests a comparison of weight or significance, where one thing is heavier or more important.

supersedes

This term implies that something replaces or overrules something else.

ranks higher

This alternative suggests a hierarchical ordering, with something being placed higher in importance.

is paramount

This indicates that something is of utmost importance, emphasizing its significance.

is the main concern

This focuses on the primary focus or worry, highlighting what is most important.

has the upper hand

This conveys that something has control or advantage over another, implying greater importance.

takes the lead

This indicates that something is in the forefront or dominant position.

is preeminent

This suggests that something excels above all others, emphasizing its superior importance.

FAQs

How can I use "takes precedence" in a sentence?

Use "takes precedence" to indicate that one thing is more important than another. For example, "In an emergency, safety "takes precedence" over efficiency".

What are some alternatives to "takes precedence"?

You can use alternatives such as "has priority", "is more important", or "outweighs" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "takes precedence" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when you need to clearly establish a hierarchy or order of importance among different factors or considerations. For example, "Federal law "takes precedence" over state law".

What is the difference between "takes precedence" and "is secondary to"?

"Takes precedence" means something is more important, while "is secondary to" means something is less important. These phrases are opposites; for example, "Safety "takes precedence" over cost" implies that cost is secondary.