to take precedence

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

In both these books, image seems to take precedence.

The New York Times - Books

Urgent issues have to take precedence during office visits.

The New York Times - Health

Work on the atomic bomb was to take precedence.

The Guardian

Football had lost its chance to take precedence in this city after all.

The New York Times - Sports

She cannot allow her sensuality to take precedence over her good sense.

The New Yorker

For Gardener, music soon began to take precedence over visual art.

The Guardian - Music

Here the city seems to take precedence over the renewal, not vice versa.

The New York Times - Travel

Fast travel must not continue to take precedence over human life.

The Guardian

Mr Haddon-Cave pointed at a time between 1998 and 2006, when financial targets appeared to take precedence over safety.

Independent

While the Staples remained active into the 1990s, the solo efforts of their individual members began to take precedence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Acting, he said, "can easily be the forgotten part" of the job, so he forced it to take precedence.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to take precedence", ensure it's clear what is taking precedence and over what. Providing this context enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "to take precedence" when simply stating a preference. The phrase implies a necessary prioritization, not just a favored option.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to take precedence" primarily functions as a verb phrase within an infinitive construction. According to Ludwig, it correctly conveys the idea of something being more important or having priority over something else. Examples show it introducing a condition or requirement that must be satisfied before others.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to take precedence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies the act of being more important or prioritized over something else. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources, its register leans towards formal, making it suitable for professional communication. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is taking precedence and over what. Remember to use it when indicating a necessary prioritization, not merely a preference. Semantically similar alternatives include "to have priority" and "to be prioritized".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to have priority

Changes the verb from "take" to "have", emphasizing possession of priority rather than the act of assuming it. It is semantically similar and interchangeable in many contexts.

to be prioritized

Shifts the focus to the action being done to something, emphasizing that it is receiving the priority. Passive voice. Almost interchangeable with the original phrase.

to take priority over

Explicitly states what is being given precedence over, providing more context. More direct and less concise than "to take precedence".

to come first

Uses simpler language, directly stating that something should be addressed before other things. More informal than "to take precedence".

to rank higher

Emphasizes a hierarchical order where something is placed above others. Useful when comparing the relative importance of items.

to be more important than

Breaks down the meaning into simpler terms, clarifying the comparative importance. Less formal and more explanatory.

to supersede

Indicates that something replaces or overrides something else, taking its place in importance or authority. Stronger emphasis on replacement.

to outweigh

Suggests that something is of greater weight or significance, making it more important. Good when comparing the impact of different factors.

to override

Implies canceling out or disregarding something else due to higher importance. Often used in technical or system-related contexts.

to have the upper hand

Emphasizes control and advantage rather than simple priority. Useful in competitive or strategic situations.

FAQs

How do I use "to take precedence" in a sentence?

Use "to take precedence" to indicate that one thing is more important than another in a given situation. For example: "In emergencies, safety must "to take precedence" over speed".

What can I say instead of "to take precedence"?

You can use alternatives like "to have priority", "to be prioritized", or "to come first" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "to take precedence" and "to take priority"?

"To take precedence" implies a formal or necessary prioritization, while "to take priority" can be slightly more general, simply indicating something is important. The phrases are highly similar and often interchangeable.

Is it correct to say "take precedence over"?

Yes, "take precedence over" is a correct and common construction. It explicitly states what is being prioritized in relation to something else. Example: "Customer satisfaction should "take precedence over" short-term profits."