took precedence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took precedence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was considered more important or prioritized over something else. Example: "In the meeting, the budget discussion took precedence over the project updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the music took precedence.

The New York Times - Arts

Basketball took precedence over everything, including academics.

Columbia University

Usually, being a firefighter took precedence.

The New York Times

But picture-taking soon took precedence.

The New York Times - Arts

That need took precedence over retaliation.

The New York Times - Sports

The business took precedence over the relationship.

The New York Times - Sports

Similarly, direct experience took precedence over traditional wisdom.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After 1975, motherhood took precedence over Ms. Snow's career.

The New York Times - Arts

And for that Sunday, anyway, the victims took precedence.

The New York Times

It claimed that its laws took precedence over Soviet laws.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Home runs, it looks like, took precedence over anything else.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "took precedence", ensure the context clearly defines what it took precedence over. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "took precedence" without explicitly stating what was less important. This omission can confuse the reader and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took precedence" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that something was considered more important or prioritized over something else. Ludwig shows the phrase being used to describe decisions, priorities, and even legal matters, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Encyclopedias

21%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Science

11%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took precedence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies the act of something being considered more important than something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and encyclopedic entries. When using this phrase, clarity is key; explicitly state what was less important to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "was prioritized" and "held greater importance". Remember, this expression effectively communicates the reasons behind choices and actions, underlining the factors that influence prioritization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was given priority

Changes the verb and uses a passive construction, emphasizing the action of giving priority.

was prioritized

Uses a different verb to convey the same meaning of being ranked higher in importance.

held greater importance

Emphasizes the level of importance, rather than the act of taking precedence.

was considered paramount

Uses a stronger adjective to indicate the highest level of importance.

outweighed

Uses a verb that suggests a balancing of importance, with one thing being heavier.

superseded

Suggests that something replaced or came before something else in importance.

was dominant

Implies that something was the main or controlling factor.

ranked higher

Focuses on the ranking or ordering of importance.

was more significant

Highlights the degree of significance or importance.

assumed priority

Emphasizes the act of something gaining or being given priority.

FAQs

How can I use "took precedence" in a sentence?

Use "took precedence" to indicate that one thing was considered more important than another, for example, "In the meeting, the budget discussion "took precedence" over project updates".

What are some alternatives to "took precedence"?

You can use alternatives such as "was prioritized", "held greater importance", or "was given priority" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "take precedence" or "took precedence"?

Both are correct, but "take precedence" is used for general statements (e.g., "Safety should take precedence"), while "took precedence" refers to a past event where something was prioritized.

What's the difference between "took precedence" and "was considered paramount"?

"Took precedence" indicates a specific instance of prioritization, while "was considered paramount" suggests something is always of utmost importance.