to prioritize something over

USAGE SUMMARY

"to prioritize something over" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to show that you are giving more importance to one thing than another. For example, "I chose to prioritize my health over my career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

So, I like to prioritize will over skill.

Huffington Post

Knowing how to prioritize if something unexpectedly comes up is important, too.

Huffington Post

Finally, mothers may want to prioritize saving for retirement over education expenses.

Forbes

Humans are "hard-wired to prioritize 'seeking' over 'finding," so the searching and waiting for something wonderful to buy is often more rewarding than actually buying it.

Forbes

Instead the Academy chose to prioritize "the familiar over the future, endeavor over initiative, closing ranks over opening doors".

The New York Times

This site is the holy grail for those looking to prioritize quality over quantity.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A common mistake is to prioritize style over substance.

The New York Times - Arts

And, in this case, his decision to prioritize law over politics will actually save lives.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just be sure to prioritize retirement over education saving.

Forbes

Not everyone will choose to prioritize work over family.

Forbes

Companies need to prioritize speed over the inclusion of all possible inputs and opinions.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and adjust the formality of your language accordingly. In formal settings, "to prioritize" is appropriate. In informal settings, consider alternatives like "to put first" or "to favor".

Common error

Avoid vague statements when using "to prioritize something over". Clearly specify both elements being compared to prevent confusion and ensure your message is easily understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to prioritize something over" functions as an infinitive phrase used to express the act of assigning greater importance to one thing compared to another. It implies a deliberate decision-making process, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to prioritize something over" is a versatile and commonly used expression for indicating the act of assigning greater importance to one thing compared to another. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Usage spans across news, business, and scientific contexts, reflecting its broad applicability. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the context clearly explains why one thing is prioritized. While generally neutral in register, consider your audience and adjust the formality accordingly. By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate your priorities and enhance the clarity of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to favour something over

Replaces "prioritize" with "favour", suggesting a preference.

to prefer something to

Uses "prefer" to indicate a choice between two options, giving more importance to one.

to give precedence to something over

Emphasizes the act of giving priority or higher rank.

to place importance on something over

Highlights the act of assigning greater value to something.

to value something more than

Focuses on the relative worth or significance of two things.

to rank something higher than

Indicates a hierarchical ordering with one item above another.

to emphasize something over

Highlights the act of stressing or accentuating something more.

to stress something over

Focuses on placing more emphasis on something compared to something else.

to highlight something over

Indicates drawing more attention to something in comparison.

to put something first

Simplifies the idea of prioritizing to a basic concept of order.

FAQs

How can I use "to prioritize something over" in a sentence?

You can use "to prioritize something over" to show that you are giving more importance to one thing than another. For example, "I chose "to prioritize my health over" my career".

What are some alternatives to "to prioritize something over"?

Alternatives include "to prefer something to", "to favour something over", or "to give precedence to something over", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "to prioritize something over"?

Yes, the phrase "to prioritize something over" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It clearly conveys the idea of giving preference to one thing over another.

What's the difference between "to prioritize" and "to give importance to"?

"To prioritize" implies a specific ranking or order of importance, while "to give importance to" simply means assigning significance to something. Prioritizing involves choosing what is more important relative to other things.