is not without precedent

USAGE SUMMARY

"is not without precedent" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that a particular situation or behavior has occurred before and is therefore not unique. For example: "The decision to grant the scholarship is not without precedent; several students have received the award in previous years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is not without precedent.

Independent

An acquisition strategy is not without precedent.

The New York Times

But a reconciliation is not without precedent.

The New York Times

Harbor Shores is not without precedent.

The New York Times - Magazine

This idea is not without precedent.

The New York Times

It is not without precedent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Roberts' decision is not without precedent.

University of California, Berkeley

Such concern is not without precedent.

Yale University

The pizza trailer is not without precedent.

The New York Times - Food

Such a suggestion is not without precedent.

The Guardian

The idea is not without precedent.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not without precedent" to subtly indicate that an action or event is not entirely new or unique, often to provide context or justification. For example, use it to reassure stakeholders or temper concerns.

Common error

Avoid using "is not without precedent" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "it's happened before" or "it's not the first time" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not without precedent" serves as a qualifier, indicating that a particular action, event, or situation is not entirely novel or unique. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

28%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is not without precedent" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that a current event or action has historical parallels. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and is frequently found in news, scientific, and academic sources. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral to formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "has happened before" or "is not unprecedented" to adjust the tone. When using it, ensure it aligns with your writing's formality and purpose to avoid sounding pretentious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not unprecedented

Uses a more formal tone, emphasizing the lack of complete novelty.

precedents exist for this

Focuses on the existence of established precedents that support the current action.

it has occurred in the past

Explicitly references past occurrences, providing a straightforward alternative.

has happened before

Directly states the event has occurred previously, simplifying the original phrase.

this isn't a novel situation

Highlights the lack of originality in the current scenario.

similar cases exist

Indicates the presence of comparable situations, emphasizing their existence.

this aligns with past actions

Emphasizes the consistency with previous behaviors or decisions.

there's a history of this

Highlights the existence of prior similar events, focusing on the historical aspect.

it follows a pattern

Suggests a recurring sequence of events, indicating predictability.

it's not the first time

A more casual way of saying something has happened before.

FAQs

How can I use "is not without precedent" in a sentence?

You can use "is not without precedent" to indicate that a current action or situation has happened before. For example: "The company's decision to expand into new markets "is not without precedent"; they've successfully done so in the past".

What can I say instead of "is not without precedent"?

You can use alternatives like "has happened before", "is not unprecedented", or "there's a history of this" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "isn't without precedent"?

Yes, "isn't without precedent" is the contracted form of "is not without precedent" and is grammatically correct. It is generally used in more informal contexts.

What's the difference between "is not without precedent" and "is unprecedented"?

"Is not without precedent" means that similar things have happened before, while "is unprecedented" means that something has never happened before. They have opposite meanings.