priority ♦︎ emphasis ♦︎ stress ♦︎ precedenceThese are all words for the fact of giving sth special importance.这些词均表示强调、重视。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆priority / precedence over sb / sth◆(a) particular / special / equal priority / emphasis / stress◆the main priority / emphasis◆great / undue emphasis / stress◆to have priority / a ... emphasis / precedence◆to take priority / precedence◆to give sb / sth priority / emphasis / precedence◆to put emphasis / stress on sb / sth◆to lay / place emphasis / stress on sb / sth◆in order of priority / precedence■priority praɪˈɒrəti; NAmEpraɪˈɔːrəti, praɪˈɑːrəti [countable, uncountable] something that you think is more important than other things and should be dealt with first; the condition of being more important than sb else and therefore coming or being dealt with first优先事项;最重要的事;优先◆a high / low priority重点/非重点项目◆Education is a top priority.教育是重中之重。◆ (especially BrE) You need to get your priorities right(= decide what is important to you).你需要把个人事情的轻重缓急分清楚。◆ (NAmE) You need to get your priorities straight.你需要把个人事情的轻重缓急分清楚。◆Club members will be given priority.俱乐部会员将享有优先权。◆Her family takes priority over her work.她把家庭排在工作的前面。◆List the tasks in order of priority.按照轻重缓急的顺序把任务都列出来。◆Priority cases, such as homeless families, get dealt with first.符合优先类别的,如无住房家庭,可获优先处理。 see also prioritize ⇨ stressverb■emphasisˈemfəsɪs (pluralemphases ˈemfəsiːz ) [uncountable, countable] special importance that is given to sth强调;重视;重要性◆The emphasis is very much on learning the spoken language.重点大多放在学习口语上。◆There has been a shift of emphasis from manufacturing to service industries.重点已经从制造业向服务业转移。◆The classes have a vocational emphasis.这些课强调职业技能。 see also emphasize ⇨ stressverb■stress [uncountable] special importance that is given to sth强调;重视;重要性◆She lays great stress on punctuality.她十分注重守时。◆I think the company places too much stress on cost and not enough on quality.我认为公司对成本强调有余,而对质量则重视不足。 see also stress ⇨ stressverbNOTE辨析 Emphasis or stress?There is very little difference in meaning between these two words. Emphasis is much more frequent and slightly more formal; stress is often more personal, used to talk about what a particular person thinks is important, rather than the focus of a debate, campaign or service, for example.这两个词含义差别很小。emphasis要常用得多,且略显正式。stress常表示个人态度,指特定的人所重视的事,并非辩论、运动或服务等的重点。■precedence ˈpresɪdəns [uncountable] (ratherformal) the condition of being more important than sb/sth else and therefore coming or being dealt with first优先;优先权◆She had to learn that her wishes did not take precedence over other people's needs.她必须懂得,自己的愿望不凌驾于他人的需要之上。◆The speakers came on to the platform in order of precedence.演讲人按优先顺序先后上台。NOTE辨析 Priority or precedence?In some cases you can use either of these words.在有些情况下这两个词可以通用◆Her wishes did not take priority / precedence over other people's needs.她的愿望不凌驾于他人的需要之上。However, people or things usually take precedence on the basis of rank: because they are older, have a higher social status or a more senior position. People or things are usually given priority on the basis of need.但是因年龄、社会地位或职位高而排在前面获优先对待时通常用take precedence。人或事按需要度获优先处理通常说be given priority◆The speakers came on to the platform in order of priority.◆Homeless families will be given precedence.