to take preference

USAGE SUMMARY

"to take preference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something has been chosen over other options. For example, "When selecting a new car, the safety features of the vehicle took preference over its cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Today the British government announced its rescue plan to recapitalise British banks by offering to take preference shares in them and offering capital and taking senior debt against a wider range of collateral assets.

The Guardian - Opinion

Darling has said that the banks have agreed to increase their capital, but rather than take up the government's offer to take preference shares, they could raise new funds themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

This paper proposes fuzzy PLDM that combines fuzzy theory with CA to take preference uncertainty into consideration.

Expert Systems with Applications

The government's offer to spend up to 50 billion pounds ($87.6 billion) to take preference shares in eligible banks represented both a dilution of investors' stakes and an admission that the sector as a whole was still afflicted by a loss of confidence.

Forbes

The major drawback of the Cox-2 inhibitors/NSAID controversy is that we are unable to treat our patients' pain adequately; this will continue to be true while the risks of treatment continue to take preference over the benefits of treatment and informed choice.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Right decision at right time Offering opportunity to take preferences of huge measures of healthcare information, and prescription of proper mediation to the patient at right time.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

Game theory studies decision makers (autonomous agents) that have actions to take, preferences that what they want, different options which they can choose etc.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

This result points to the need to take preferences into account in designing any financing scheme.

BMC Health Services Research

The judges will take preference to images taken in free and wild conditions".

The Guardian - Arts

Sadly our current economic climate isn't one where possibilities take preference to direct saving.

Vice

Not because I was particularly wedded to the old translation, but I wished that other priorities, such as separating governance leadership from ministry and more attention to social justice issues, would take preference over updating the 1973 English translation of the liturgy.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to take preference", ensure that the context clearly indicates which element is being chosen over others. For example, "In this project, speed to market should take preference over extensive testing."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "to take preference" might sound slightly awkward or less polished in very formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "to prioritize" or "to give precedence to" for a smoother tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to take preference" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to express that something is given priority or is favored over something else. As indicated by Ludwig, it is acceptable in written English, demonstrating its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to take preference" is grammatically correct and usable in written English, as affirmed by Ludwig. It is used to indicate that something is being chosen or given priority over something else. The phrase appears to be more prevalent in news and scientific contexts. While "to take preference" is a valid construction, writers should be mindful of the specific context and audience when choosing this phrase. Alternatives like ""to prioritize"" or ""to give precedence to"" may be more suitable for very formal settings. Overall, understanding the nuances of "to take preference" allows for more effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To give priority to

Directly states that something is being given precedence over others.

To prioritize

Focuses on ranking items by importance, shifting the emphasis from choice to a hierarchy.

To make a priority

Emphasizes the act of designating something as important.

To favor

Suggests a leaning towards one option, indicating a positive bias.

To opt for

Indicates a choice or decision in favor of one option over others.

To give precedence

Implies a formal or structured setting where something is given higher importance.

To select preferentially

Highlights the act of choosing something based on a defined preference.

To place emphasis on

Focuses on highlighting the importance of something.

To value more highly

Emphasizes the relative worth assigned to something, implying a comparison.

To lean towards

Implies a slight preference or inclination.

FAQs

How can I use "to take preference" in a sentence?

You can use "to take preference" to indicate that one thing is being favored or given priority over another. For example, "In emergency situations, saving lives should "take preference" over protecting property."

What are some alternatives to "to take preference"?

Alternatives include "to prioritize", "to favor", or "to give precedence to". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "take preference over"?

Yes, "take preference over" is a correct and commonly used construction. It clearly indicates that one thing is being chosen or favored above another. For example, "Practicality should "take preference over" aesthetics."

What is the difference between "to take preference" and "to give priority"?

"To take preference" implies a selection or choice being made, while "to give priority" suggests a deliberate assignment of importance. While similar, the nuance lies in whether the focus is on choosing or assigning importance. You could "give priority to" a project to "take preference" over other projects.