takes preference over

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "takes preference over" can be used in written English.
It is used to show that one thing is more important or preferred than another. For example, "I always take studying for my exams over watching television."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 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

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

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

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

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

Which cities take preference?

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "takes preference over" to clearly indicate a hierarchy or prioritization between two options or actions. For example, "In case of a fire, saving human lives "takes preference over" protecting property."

Common error

Avoid using "takes preference over" in situations where a simple preference or liking is meant. Instead of saying, "He takes coffee preference over tea", consider using "He prefers coffee to tea" for a more natural expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "takes preference over" functions as a verb phrase indicating that one thing is considered more important or is given priority compared to another. This is evident from the examples provided by Ludwig, which show various scenarios where this phrase is used to establish a hierarchy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "takes preference over" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for indicating that one thing is prioritized above another. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and various examples highlight its usage across diverse contexts such as news, science, and general discussions. While alternatives like "has priority over" or "is favored over" exist, "takes preference over" maintains a balance of neutrality and formality, making it suitable for professional communication where clarity in prioritization is essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

takes precedence over

Synonymous; focuses on hierarchical order.

is prioritized over

Passive voice; emphasizes the action being done to the preferred item.

has priority over

Uses 'priority' as a noun; slightly more formal.

is favored over

Emphasizes liking or inclination towards the preferred item.

is given precedence over

More formal; emphasizes the order of importance.

supersedes

Implies replacement or overriding of the less preferred item.

outweighs

Suggests a greater importance or impact.

is preferred to

More general; expresses a liking or choice.

trumps

More informal; implies a decisive advantage.

exceeds

Implies going beyond the importance of something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "takes preference over" is used to indicate that something is considered more important or prioritized compared to something else. For example, "In this company, quality assurance "takes preference over" quantity."

What's the difference between "takes preference over" and "takes precedence over"?

While both phrases convey the idea of prioritization, "takes preference over" implies a general liking or inclination towards something, whereas "takes precedence over" suggests a formal or hierarchical order. The choice depends on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "take preference over"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "takes preference over" for singular subjects (e.g., "This rule takes preference over that one"). Use "take preference over" for plural subjects (e.g., "These rules take preference over those ones").

What can I say instead of ""takes preference over""?

You can use alternatives like "is prioritized over", "has priority over", or "is favored over" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.