to override

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to override" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of disregarding or replacing a decision, rule, or setting with a different one. Example: "The system allows users to override default settings to customize their experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

PILOT: Take me to override.

The New York Times

Neither house attempted to override.

The New York Times

It takes 62.5 percent to override the measure.

The New York Times - Sports

"They don't want to override seniority systems.

The New York Times

Still, he doesn't hesitate to override them.

The New Yorker

(Efforts to override his veto narrowly failed).

The New Yorker

"I expect the Council to override".

The New York Times

I don't want to override the content.

The Guardian - Books

Unfortunately, the president was unwilling to override Treasury.

The New York Times

"Al Jazeera has to override that by providing quality news".

The New York Times

But people can be trained to override their natural handedness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to override" when you specifically want to indicate that one setting, decision, or action is taking precedence over another, especially in situations where there's a pre-existing or default state.

Common error

Avoid using "to override" when a simpler term like "to change" or "to replace" suffices. "To override" carries a specific connotation of taking precedence or negating a prior state, so ensure it accurately reflects your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to override" primarily functions as an infinitive verb, indicating the action of setting aside or disregarding something in favor of something else. Ludwig provides examples in which this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to override" is a versatile infinitive verb phrase used to convey the act of negating or taking precedence over something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase is prevalent in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, indicating its suitability for various professional and academic settings. When using "to override", ensure it accurately reflects the intent of setting aside or replacing a pre-existing condition, and consider alternatives like "/s/to+supersede" or "/s/to+overrule" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to overrule

Specifically refers to reversing a decision or authority.

to supersede

Implies replacing something established with something newer or more effective.

to counteract

Focuses on neutralizing or opposing the effect of something.

to nullify

Suggests making something invalid or without legal effect.

to negate

Emphasizes denying the truth or existence of something.

to invalidate

Implies making something legally or factually unsound.

to disregard

Indicates ignoring or paying no attention to something.

to cancel out

Emphasizes the balancing and neutralizing effect.

to set aside

Implies temporarily ignoring something.

to outweigh

Suggests having a greater influence or importance.

FAQs

How can I use "to override" in a sentence?

You can use "to override" to describe the act of rejecting a previous decision, such as, "The committee voted /s/to+overrule the chairman's decision" or altering a setting, like, "Users can /s/to+supersede the default settings".

What's the difference between "to override" and "to overrule"?

"To override" has a broader sense of replacing or negating something. "To overrule" specifically means to reverse a decision made by someone in authority.

What are some alternatives to "to override"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "/s/to+supersede", "/s/to+counteract", "/s/to+nullify", or "/s/to+invalidate".

When is it appropriate to use "to override" in technical writing?

In technical contexts, "to override" is often used when referring to software or system settings, indicating that a user can alter a default setting. For example, "The program allows users /s/to+reallocate memory settings manually".