took precedence over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took precedence over" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that one thing was considered more important or prioritized over another. Example: "In the decision-making process, the safety of the employees took precedence over cost-cutting measures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Basketball took precedence over everything, including academics.

Columbia University

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

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

The New York Times - Sports

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

The New York Times - Arts

It claimed that its laws took precedence over Soviet laws.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Papal envoys took precedence over those of temporal rulers.

Britannica

She said his columns always took precedence over his health.

The New York Times

But opening the stadium on time took precedence over adornments.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

A code of not-documented took precedence over a code of ambiguous-timing.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took precedence over" to clearly indicate a hierarchical order of importance, especially when describing decision-making processes or competing priorities.

Common error

Avoid using "took precedence over" when describing simultaneous events. This phrase implies a sequential decision, not a description of parallel importance. It means "something was considered more important than something else at a specific time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took precedence over" functions as a verb phrase indicating that one thing was considered more important or of higher priority than another. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and acceptable usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

16%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took precedence over" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to convey the prioritization of one thing over another. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted in English writing. It's frequently found in news, encyclopedias and academic sources. When writing, it's important to use this phrase to show hierarchy in your statements. Always ensure that you are indicating a sequential decision, and not describing parallel importance. By using the tips and examples provided, you can confidently incorporate "took precedence over" into your writing to clearly express the order of importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was more important than

A straightforward way of stating that something had greater value or significance.

took priority over

Indicates a high level of importance, similar to precedence, but focuses on ranking.

took primacy over

Indicates the state of being first in order or importance.

was prioritized over

Emphasizes the act of consciously assigning a higher priority.

ranked higher than

Highlights a hierarchical order or ranking between items.

was given preference over

Suggests a deliberate choice or favoritism towards one option.

held greater significance than

Emphasizes the importance or meaning attributed to something.

superseded

Implies that something replaced or overruled something else.

outweighed

Highlights that something was heavier or more significant in comparison.

dominated

Indicates that something had a controlling influence or importance.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "took precedence over"?

You can use alternatives like "was prioritized over", "ranked higher than", or "was more important than" depending on the context.

How to use "took precedence over" in a sentence?

Use "took precedence over" to show that one thing was considered more important than another. For example, "In the meeting, finishing the project on time "took precedence over" minor cost reductions."

Is it correct to say "has precedence over" instead of "took precedence over"?

Both are correct, but "has precedence over" implies a general rule or standing order, while ""took precedence over"" indicates a specific decision made at a particular time.

What's the difference between "took precedence over" and "took priority over"?

While very similar, "took priority over" emphasizes the act of assigning importance, whereas ""took precedence over"" focuses on the established order or protocol.