takes priority over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "takes priority over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the importance or precedence of one thing compared to another. Example: "In this project, the client's needs take priority over our internal deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

For airlines faced with a choice between giving a seat away for free or collecting some extra cash, money takes priority over rewarding loyal customers.

Huffington Post

Tradition, it seems, takes priority over humane slaughtering practices.

The Guardian - Opinion

As directed by Ciaran O'Reilly, quiet grief takes priority over spookiness.

The New York Times

The answer is that in these cases politics takes priority over the war on terror.

The New York Times

Having fun while teaching young entrepreneurs, he said, now takes priority over earning maximum returns.

The New York Times

Ultimately, Sen sees Europe's fortunes suffering wherever financial union takes priority over political and social unity, an "oddly chosen sequencing" that transforms "economic mishaps into social adversities".

The New York Times

But in the design universe, where the usefulness of an object takes priority over the elation of the spirit, beauty has a somewhat more ambiguous value.

The New Yorker

For the college, which is part of the City University of New York, necessities like instruction often takes priority over niceties like architectural preservation.

The New York Times

But he did say, "It is the general rule that a criminal case takes priority over a civil case and goes first".

The New York Times

More and more Japanese are realizing that public finance takes priority over public health, and some are suing the government and Japan Tobacco.

The New York Times

Coach Jim Caldwell subscribes to the Tony Dungy school: being healthy and fresh for the playoffs takes priority over finishing undefeated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "takes priority over" to highlight a deliberate decision or established rule that dictates which of two competing concerns should be addressed first.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "takes priority over" implies the less prioritized item is unimportant or neglected. It simply means it's addressed after the higher priority concern is handled.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "takes priority over" functions as a comparative verbal phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is used to indicate that one thing is considered more important or is given precedence over another, influencing decision-making or resource allocation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "takes priority over" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that one thing is more important than another. Ludwig AI confirms this. Its usage is common across various domains, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When writing with "takes priority over", ensure clarity and context. Alternatives such as ""takes precedence over"" or ""is more important than"" can be used for stylistic variation, but consider the subtle differences in their connotations. Understanding the function, purpose, and register of this phrase can enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

takes precedence over

Emphasizes formal order or rank in importance.

takes preference over

Suggests a chosen liking or partiality toward one thing over another.

assumes priority over

Highlights the act of something gaining or being assigned higher importance.

is more important than

A simpler and more direct way to express the comparative importance.

supersedes

Implies that something replaces or overrides something else in importance or authority.

outweighs

Suggests that one thing is heavier or more significant in comparison to another.

trumps

An informal way of saying something overcomes or defeats something else in importance.

has the upper hand

Indicates that one thing has a dominant position or advantage over another.

is paramount

Emphasizes that something is of utmost importance.

is the main concern

Highlights the primary focus or worry.

FAQs

How do I use "takes priority over" in a sentence?

Use "takes priority over" to indicate that one thing is more important or should be done before something else. For example, "In a medical emergency, saving a life "takes priority over" paperwork".

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

You can use alternatives like "takes precedence over", "is more important than", or "supersedes" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "takes priority over" or "has priority over"?

Both "takes priority over" and "has priority over" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What's the difference between "takes priority over" and "is a priority"?

"Takes priority over" implies a comparison between two things, where one is more important. "Is a priority" simply indicates that something is important, without necessarily comparing it to anything else.