taking precedence over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking precedence over" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that one thing is more important or has priority over another. Example: "In this situation, safety is taking precedence over speed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I'm seeing some situations in the industry right now where speed is taking precedence over security as organizations push applications and data to the cloud.

Huffington Post

There are precedents for childbirth taking precedence over majors.

The New York Times - Sports

Property values are taking precedence over community.

The Guardian

As in the United States, domestic troubles in China have been taking precedence over foreign relations.

The New York Times

"She opposed the remedy of functional separation, and seems to favor market forces taking precedence over regulation," Mr. Bartholomew said.

The New York Times - Tech

Again I sense a fear of what ITV might or might not like taking precedence over artistic considerations.

Independent

"Generosity and fraternity have been taking precedence over the problems," said Ali Mourou, the mayor of Tataouine.

The New York Times

Once again, the government's ideology is taking precedence over common sense and decent educational provision for children and young people".

The Guardian

Brooding, uncluttered songs are still slow to unfurl, with rolling rhythms taking precedence over hooks, and massed voices proving hypnotic.

The Guardian - Music

The audience left with much shoulder shrugging and muttering about styling taking precedence over new clothing ideas.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For too long we have been afraid to debate tough issues, with stage management sometimes taking precedence over open discussion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "taking precedence over", ensure the context clearly defines which element is being prioritized and why. Clarity is essential for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "taking precedence over" in overly complex sentences where simpler phrasing would improve readability. Break down long sentences for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking precedence over" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating priority or superiority. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taking precedence over" effectively conveys the idea of prioritization. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and high frequency across diverse sources, predominantly in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it's crucial to use this phrase with clarity, avoiding overuse in overly complex sentences. Alternative phrases, like "having priority over" and "superseding", offer similar meanings with slight variations in connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking priority over

This alternative is a direct synonym.

having priority over

This uses more words but emphasizes hierarchical importance.

superseding

This indicates a direct replacement or overriding effect.

overriding

This suggests a forceful negation of another concern.

outweighing

This signifies greater importance or influence.

being paramount to

This indicates something of supreme importance.

holding sway over

This suggest having a greater influence

dominating

This conveys strong control or influence over other things.

eclipsing

This indicates obscuring or diminishing something else in importance.

trumping

This indicates a decisive victory or superiority.

FAQs

What does "taking precedence over" mean?

It means something is considered more important or has higher priority than something else in a particular situation.

How can I use "taking precedence over" in a sentence?

For example: "In this situation, safety is "taking precedence over" speed."

What are some alternatives to "taking precedence over"?

You can use alternatives such as "having priority over", "outweighing", or "superseding", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "taking precedence over" in writing?

It's suitable when you need to clearly establish a hierarchy or order of importance between two or more elements, especially in formal or professional contexts.