according to precedents

USAGE SUMMARY

"according to precedents" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to earlier cases or situations that serve as a guide for current or future actions. Example: The judge made his decision according to precedents set by previous similar cases.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Senators cannot be recalled by their states before their terms expire, according to precedents set by the US supreme court.

The Guardian

This bizarre legislation, which Republican majorities hope to enact Sept. 11, would override an earlier veto by Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, who noted the obvious fact that the measure is unconstitutional according to precedents stretching all the way to the Civil War.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The next morning, "when there was nothing left of the Equinoxes, because the Precession had preceded according to precedent," the Elephant's Child sets out to find what the Crocodile has for dinner.

The New York Times

The chief justice of the United States is supposed to uphold the law according to precedent and not speculate on how he would rule in future cases.

The New York Times

I believed that people acted within a defined set of expectations, and that if she and I were to be close, such a relationship would happen only according to precedent, as a May-September romance.

The New York Times

According to precedent, residency is determined by an individual's intention to be a resident.

Forbes

Floyd, however, supported Jackson's actions, maintaining he had acted according to precedent and his orders.

Wikipedia

According to judicial precedents, treaties like the United Nations Charter can be trumped only by subsequent legislation.

The New York Times

According to legal precedents in Japan, doctors are given a wide range of discretionary powers regarding disclosure [ 14- 16].

BMC Medical Ethics

In such cases, according to judicial precedents, the resulting child is regarded as a legitimate child when the consent of husband is confirmed by a "clear indication of intention" or a "written form", and denial of the legitimate child at a later date is not allowed, using the concepts of "betrayal" and "the importance of results" as criteria.

BMC Medical Ethics

This was supposed to take place "according to precedent", but the 'stage management' of the event left something to be desired; among other things the gates at Temple Bar, where the officers of arms customarily demand entry to the City of London, were left open.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "according to precedents", ensure that the precedents you are referring to are clearly established and relevant to the current context. Provide specific citations or examples to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid applying "according to precedents" to situations where the past cases or guidelines are not directly applicable or have been superseded by new laws or regulations. Always verify the current validity and relevance of the cited precedents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "according to precedents" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate that an action or decision is justified or guided by previous examples or established cases. It is used to provide a rationale based on past events.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "according to precedents" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action or decision is based on previous, similar cases or established guidelines. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is grammatically correct, although relatively rare. Predominantly found in news and media, science, and wiki contexts, the phrase serves to legitimize or rationalize a decision by referencing past events. When using the phrase, it is important to ensure the relevance and validity of the cited precedents to avoid misinterpretations. Consider alternatives such as "based on prior rulings" or "following established guidelines" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following legal precedent

Directly refers to the principle of stare decisis.

in accordance with established law

Specifically refers to legal frameworks that guide actions.

consistent with previous cases

Focuses on the alignment with comparable legal instances.

based on prior rulings

Emphasizes the foundation of decisions on previous judicial pronouncements.

guided by prior judgments

Emphasizes that previous judicial assessments are directional.

following established guidelines

Highlights adherence to a set of formalized rules or recommendations.

as dictated by established cases

Highlights the mandatory nature of using existing legal cases as guidelines.

as per existing conventions

Indicates compliance with accepted practices and norms.

pursuant to existing norms

Highlights acting in accordance with established standards.

in line with past practices

Stresses the consistency with previous customary actions.

FAQs

How can I use "according to precedents" in a sentence?

You can use "according to precedents" to indicate that a decision or action is based on previous similar cases or established guidelines. For example, "The court's ruling was made "according to precedents" set in similar cases."

What are some alternatives to saying "according to precedents"?

You can use alternatives such as "based on prior rulings", "following established guidelines", or "in line with past practices" to convey a similar meaning. Each alternative emphasizes slightly different aspects of adhering to past examples.

Is it correct to say "according to precedent" instead of "according to precedents"?

While "according to precedent" is grammatically correct, "according to precedents" is appropriate when referring to multiple prior cases or guidelines. The singular form is used when referencing a single, specific case or guideline.

What's the difference between "according to precedents" and "following legal precedent"?

"According to precedents" is a general phrase indicating reliance on past cases, while "following legal precedent" is a more specific legal term referring to the principle of stare decisis, where courts are obligated to follow previously established rulings. The phrase "following legal precedent" carries a more formal and binding connotation.