immediate precedent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "immediate precedent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to refer to a decision or case that directly influences or sets the stage for a current situation or ruling. Example: "The court's ruling was heavily influenced by the immediate precedent set in the previous case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

There is immediate precedent for an All Blacks match on foreign shores, before the team travels on to Europe.

The Guardian - Sport

Her stagecraft over the next few minutes, as the song shrugged off its identifying traits and simply thrashed, might have felt more impressive had there not been immediate precedent for it.

The New York Times - Arts

A more immediate precedent would be 60's antiwar pop music, but in that instance, beyond a general wish to end American involvement in Vietnam, no particular agenda was advanced.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Johns's mining of the possibilities for art in everyday life has an immediate precedent in the found object sculptures of Marcel Duchamp, a French artist living in New York from 1942 until his death in 1968.

The New York Times

A Trump victory in November is more plausible now because it has an immediate precedent in a developed democracy ready to trash the status quo for the high-risk unknown.

The New York Times

If the intimate setting of "The River" had an immediate precedent, it wasn't in any of Butterworth's plays but in "Fair Game," the 2010 film about Valerie Plame, the ex-C.I.A. agent, and her husband, Joe Wilson, the former Ambassador, which Butterworth wrote and produced while finishing "Jerusalem".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

With only so many dollars to go around, immediate needs take precedent.

Forbes

In the absence of a precedent or immediate risk inside the EU when they were redacted, the European treaties do not dedicate a single line to internal secession.

Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics

Without any precedent or immediate risk when these texts were debated, the European treaties do not say a word about internal secessions.

Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics

Wall texts of impeccable clarity analyze the relationships developed in this process: to immediate physical context, to historical precedent, among family members and corporate workers, between public and private space, between place and time.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Kobach said on Wednesday that the judge's opinion that the deportation deferrals were illegal would remain as a precedent, although with no immediate impact.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or policy decisions, use "immediate precedent" to underscore the direct influence of a recent prior ruling or event on the current situation.

Common error

Avoid using "immediate precedent" when referring to broad historical trends or influences; reserve it for instances where a specific, recent event or decision directly informs the present situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immediate precedent" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It identifies a specific, recent event, action, or decision that serves as a direct and relevant point of reference or justification for a current situation. According to Ludwig AI, it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "immediate precedent" is a noun phrase used to describe a recent event, action, or decision that directly influences a current situation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its frequency is uncommon, with usage mainly observed in news, academic, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, make sure to refer to specific, recent events rather than broad historical trends and consider alternatives such as "direct antecedent" or "recent example" to better suit your context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

direct antecedent

Focuses on the direct lineage or prior occurrence, emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship.

recent example

Highlights the recency of the example, which might not necessarily be a legally binding precedent.

relevant prior case

Emphasizes the relevance of a previous legal case, applicable primarily in legal contexts.

controlling authority

Implies a binding decision or regulation that dictates current actions or decisions.

current benchmark

Stresses that it is a standard or point of reference against which something can be compared or assessed.

existing model

Highlights that it serves as a pattern, exemplar, or structural design that is already present or in use.

applicable guideline

Refers to official instructions or advice relevant to a particular situation.

instant forerunner

Stresses that this is a person or thing that existed before and from which something else was developed.

latest parallel

Highlights similarity between two things; the most recent similar event or situation.

contemporary parallel

Emphasizes the similarity or analogy with something existing or happening in the same period of time.

FAQs

How does "immediate precedent" differ from general historical context?

"Immediate precedent" refers to a specific recent event or decision directly influencing the present, while general historical context encompasses broader, less direct influences.

What are some alternatives to using "immediate precedent"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "direct antecedent", "recent example", or "relevant prior case".

In what situations is it most appropriate to use the phrase "immediate precedent"?

The phrase is most appropriate when discussing legal or policy decisions where a specific, recent prior ruling or event directly impacts the current situation.

Can "immediate precedent" apply outside of legal and political contexts?

While primarily used in legal and political contexts, "immediate precedent" can apply to any situation where a very recent prior occurrence directly influences subsequent actions or decisions, like in scientific research or business strategy.