a prior case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prior case" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to refer to a previous legal case that is relevant to the current situation or argument. Example: "In deciding this matter, the court relied heavily on the findings from a prior case that set a significant precedent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

First, there is something puzzling about requiring more of the court than a frank admission that it incorrectly interpreted the Constitution in a prior case.

The New York Times

In a 1992 case, Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the court answered no, stating that "a decision to overrule should rest on some special reason over and above the belief that a prior case was wrongly decided".

The New York Times

Citing a prior case upholding the right of the Interstate Commerce Commission to mandate integrated public travel facilities, the Supreme Court, without writing a new opinion, reversed the convictions.

The New York Times

When Mr. Scarcella came to arrest him at a beauty parlor, Mr. Hamilton said, the detective gave him a smart-alecky kiss, and then at the precinct "looked me straight in the eye and said he knew for a fact I didn't do it, but said I didn't do enough time on a prior case".

The New York Times

"I was walking out of my office and a graduate student says to me, 'I got your e-mail from last night.' I said, 'wait a minute, what e-mail?' " Dr. Schiffman went to the F.B.I., contacting an agent he had advised on a prior case.

The New York Times

While a prior case series exploring Qsymia for BED showed promise, randomized studies are needed to evaluate Qsymia's safety and efficacy when re-purposed in eating disorders.

Contemporary Clinical Trials

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

A CBR system is an intelligent, problem-solving system that reasons by first retrieving a relevant prior case from its memory of cases and then adapting the solution of the old case (situation) to solve the new problem.

Knowledge-Based Systems Techniques and Applications

It said requests by the Federal Bureau of Investigation "to detain immigration violators under 'no bond' should be honored and will be handled in the same manner as all prior cases with a direct nexus to the Sept. 11 investigation".

The New York Times

The questionnaire was designed based on a literature review, prior case studies (Claro et al. 2003; Fischer et al. 2009), and also drawing from interviews with regional stakeholders (officers of the regional authority, representatives of PDO consortia, and members of trade associations).

Agricultural and Food Economics

T cells (CD3 positive) predominated over B cells (CD20 positive), but not by as wide a proportion as in the prior case (Fig. 6).

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

Can the court overrule a precedent simply because it believes the prior case to have been incorrectly decided?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to "a prior case", ensure you clearly establish its relevance to the current discussion by highlighting specific similarities or differences.

Common error

Avoid simply mentioning "a prior case" without detailing its connection to the present context. Always explain why the prior case is relevant, and provide necessary details to support your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prior case" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as an object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in English, especially within legal and academic contexts. It references a specific, earlier instance or event used for comparison or reference.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a prior case" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that is frequently used to refer to previous instances, particularly in legal, scientific, and news contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While it maintains a formal tone, it's also accessible enough for general use, as reflected in its prevalence across different authoritative sources like The New York Times and Huffington Post. Remember to provide context and clarity when using this phrase to ensure its relevance is well understood. Related alternatives such as "a previous instance" or "a related precedent" can be used to fine-tune the level of formality or specificity. Pay close attention to the most common errors and be ready to adapt in case of domain specific differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a related precedent

Highlights the value as a 'precedent' from the past.

a previous instance

Replaces 'case' with 'instance' to broaden the context beyond legal settings.

a comparable lawsuit

Specifies that the "a prior case" is a "lawsuit".

a foregoing situation

Uses 'foregoing' to emphasize the temporal precedence of the situation.

a like action

Action is a formal substitute for "case", which often implies litigation.

an earlier occurrence

Substitutes 'case' with 'occurrence' for a more general application.

a preceding event

Replaces 'case' with 'event' to focus on a specific happening.

a past example

Uses 'example' instead of 'case' for a less formal tone.

an antecedent circumstance

Employs 'antecedent circumstance' for a more formal and detailed description.

a historical parallel

Implies a similarity to a historical situation.

FAQs

How can I use "a prior case" in a sentence?

You can use "a prior case" to refer to a previous legal matter that serves as a precedent or comparison point. For example: "The judge referenced "a prior case" to support the ruling."

What's a simpler way to say "a prior case"?

Alternatives include "an earlier case", "a previous case", or "a past case". These options are less formal and easier to understand.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a prior case"?

It's appropriate when discussing legal matters, research, or situations where referencing a past event or legal precedent is necessary to provide context or support an argument. It is most frequent in "News & Media", "Science" and "Wiki" contexts.

Is there a difference between "a prior case" and "a similar case"?

"A prior case" simply indicates that the case occurred before the current one. "A similar case", on the other hand, means that the previous case shares characteristics with the current one, which could be used as a precedent for a ruling.