a historical precedent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a historical precedent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an event, decision, or action that serves as an example or guide for future actions or decisions in a historical context. Example: "The decision to grant women the right to vote in 1920 set a historical precedent for future civil rights movements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

First, trusteeship offers a historical precedent.

The Guardian

He cited a historical precedent for Denver's arts scene.

The New York Times - Arts

There is a historical precedent for the Taliban's cultural clampdown.

The New York Times - Arts

"Over the years, we've really set a historical precedent.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Herman ultimately prevailed by citing a historical precedent.

The New York Times

Alberto Acosta, a former oil minister in Ecuador, called the ruling "a historical precedent".

The New York Times

He also said that he was reminded of a historical precedent.

The New York Times - Arts

It dropped the matter, and Truman's hastily devised legal claim became a historical precedent.

The New York Times

Nationalisation of a travel agency sounds far-fetched, but has a historical precedent.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

A complete reduced-form thermodynamic description in terms of a single material parameter has an historical precedent in the Van der Waals equation.

Chemical Engineering Science

The important thing to know is that the film industry isn't going anywhere, it is simply evolving in a manner that fits in line with an historical precedent.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a historical precedent" to strengthen arguments by providing real-world examples and demonstrating that similar situations have occurred before.

Common error

Avoid using "a historical precedent" when the situation lacks a genuine parallel in the past; ensure the historical example is truly relevant and comparable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a historical precedent" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It is used to reference a past event or situation that serves as a guide or justification for current actions or decisions, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a historical precedent" is a frequently used noun phrase that serves to draw parallels between past and present events, providing context and justification for current actions. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and finds common usage in news, academic, and business writing, leaning towards a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure the historical example is relevant and comparable to the current situation. While alternatives like "prior example" or "past parallel" exist, they may not always capture the same nuance. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English when you want to offer a historical example that can guide future actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prior example

Highlights the role of the phrase as an instance serving as a reference.

a case in point from history

Highlights an example rooted in historical events used to prove a thesis.

a past parallel

Focuses on a similar occurrence in the past, implying a direct comparison.

an earlier instance

Emphasizes a previous occurrence without necessarily implying it sets a standard.

a preceding occurrence

Stresses the temporal aspect of something happening before.

an antecedent event

Highlights the causative role of an event in historical events.

a foregoing illustration

Focuses on something mentioned previously serving as an enlightening case.

a prototype in the past

Highlights how a specific case represents an instance from which other copies originate.

an inaugural model

Highlights how the instance represents the first, most important, or impactful of it's kind.

an early archetype

How the instance represents the perfect, and influencing model which copies derive from.

FAQs

How can I use "a historical precedent" in a sentence?

You can use "a historical precedent" to draw parallels between current events and past occurrences. For example: "The leader's decision to negotiate set "a historical precedent" for future diplomatic solutions".

What's a good alternative to "a historical precedent"?

Alternatives include "a prior example", "an earlier instance", or "a past parallel", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to cite the specific precedent when using the phrase?

While not always required, citing the specific historical event or case strengthens your argument and provides more context for your audience. Omitting it can make your statement seem vague.

Can "a historical precedent" be used to justify any action?

No. The relevance and validity of the historical example must be carefully considered. Just because something happened before doesn't automatically make it a valid justification for current actions. Consider context and potential differences.