a few precedents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few precedents" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to several previous cases or examples that serve as a guide or standard for a current situation. Example: "In making our decision, we should consider a few precedents that have set the tone for similar cases in the past."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

His prize-winning command of English has a few precedents, notably Conrad and Nabokov, but neither made the leap out of a language as remote from the Indo-European group, in grammar and vocabulary, in scriptural practice and literary tradition, as Mandarin.

The New Yorker

However, no sustained scientific production could be found in this field; only a few precedents partially dedicated to assess young people's future expectations.

European Journal of Futures Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A third defeat, related to the contempt issue, made it a hat trick of misery, and a day with few precedents in modern times.

Vice

By pledging a referendum within five years on Britain's European Union membership, and warning that voting to leave would be a "one-way ticket," Mr. Cameron embarked Wednesday on a gamble with few precedents in modern British politics, and one few commentators saw him as likely to win.

The New York Times

Mr. Chalfant, the graffiti photographer and historian, said that he had given his blessings to the project partly because such a tribute had few precedents in the world of New York graffiti.

The New York Times - Arts

The cases typically focus on the provision that will require most individuals to obtain commercial or government health insurance, a mandate with few precedents in American policy or jurisprudence.

The New York Times - Health

And in a move that has few precedents, Judge Griesa came up with a way to potentially enforce his decision if Argentina chose to ignore it.

The New York Times

The timing of the scandal has played its part in fostering a public outcry with few precedents in parliamentary history.

The New York Times

Mr. Geithner and fellow regulators had urged the S.E.C. to act and could now use their new authority to shift oversight of the money market fund industry away from the S.E.C., a move that has few precedents.

The New York Times

With the loss of Fusaichi Pegasus and the decision by Frank Stronach, the owner of Red Bullet, the Preakness winner, not to run here, the Belmont is now a race with very few precedents.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Cameron spoke at a news conference as the police released new details about how the gunman, Derrick Bird, 52, a taxi driver, left a trail of death with few precedents in Britain's modern history through the western edge of the Lake District, one of the country's most celebrated scenic spots.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few precedents" when you want to indicate that there are some, but not many, previous cases or examples that can be used as a point of reference or comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "a few precedents" when there are actually numerous or well-established historical examples. If many examples exist, consider using phrases like "many precedents" or "a well-established history of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few precedents" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it denotes the existence of some prior cases or examples that can be referenced. The examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, pointing to the relative infrequency of such precedents.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few precedents" is grammatically sound and used to indicate the existence of a limited number of prior examples or cases. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is appropriate in a variety of contexts, especially in news and media or science. The phrase serves to acknowledge past occurrences while highlighting their scarcity. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the number of existing precedents, avoiding overstatement. Alternatives like "some prior instances" or "a couple of instances" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. The analysis indicates that its occurrence is rare, with limited examples available. Nevertheless, when writing, keep in mind that while appropriate for professional and news context, it avoids overly formal language, making it suitable for a broad range of communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple of instances

Indicates a small number of examples, similar to "a few precedents".

some prior instances

Emphasizes the existence of previous occurrences but is less formal.

limited prior examples

Highlights the scarcity of previous instances.

scant previous record

Emphasizes the meagerness of the historical evidence.

sparse existing history

Focuses on the lack of a substantial background or record.

isolated earlier cases

Stresses that previous instances were infrequent and not part of a larger trend.

occasional historical parallels

Highlights infrequent similarities to past events or situations.

a smattering of antecedents

Suggests only a small and scattered number of prior events.

a handful of prototypes

Implies that previous examples were early models or initial attempts.

rare historical counterparts

Focuses on the infrequency and historical nature of similar situations.

FAQs

How can I use "a few precedents" in a sentence?

You can use "a few precedents" to indicate that there are some existing examples that can be used as a reference point, such as, "The company's strategy has "a few precedents" in the tech industry".

What's a more formal alternative to "a few precedents"?

A more formal alternative could be "several prior instances" or "limited historical parallels" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "few precedent" instead of "a few precedents"?

No, "few precedent" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "few precedents" or "a few precedents". The word "precedents" is plural.

When is it appropriate to use "a few precedents" versus "no precedents"?

"A few precedents" implies that some prior examples exist, while "no precedents" indicates that there are absolutely no prior examples. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.