it lacks precedent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it lacks precedent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation, decision, or action that has no prior example or established case to refer to. Example: "The court's ruling in this case is significant because it lacks precedent, setting a new standard for future cases."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The magnitude of the crisis is not knowable because it lacks precedent.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The company's decision to ask the Supreme Court to hear its appeal against the High Court's CJEU referral lacks precedent in Ireland — so the company is challenging local case law.

TechCrunch

The only remaining explanation – that Math5 encodes a nuclear self-splicing mRNA – lacks precedent [34].

Plosone

However, for the methylation of aromatic rings, hydrogen abstraction from an sp carbon lacks precedent in enzymology.

Accounts of Chemical Research

It's just too bad that while "The Invention of Solitude" is one of Auster's best books, "Winter Journal" doesn't live up to its precedent — it lacks its kick.

The New York Times - Books

In keeping with the many aspects of this study, which lack precedent, this study asks many more questions than it answers.

BMC Medical Education

Other cases lacked precedent.

The New York Times

Tucker found that because arbitrations lack precedent, they are reliant on the supply and demand of ideas.

Columbia University

Lacking precedent, we learned as we went along, yet practice was uncertain as the boards were not standardized.

The New York Times - Sports

Podemos – Spanish for "we can" – is a party less than two years old, but a combination of discontent and optimism means the party and its allies could win dozens of seats in the Spanish parliament, a political ascent lacking precedent in postwar western Europe.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lacking precedent, the size of this demanding study was small.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it lacks precedent" to emphasize the novelty or uniqueness of a situation, especially when discussing legal, historical, or scientific contexts. This signals that the situation requires careful consideration due to the absence of established guidelines or past experiences.

Common error

Avoid using "it lacks precedent" if a situation is only slightly different from existing ones. Overusing this phrase can diminish its impact and credibility. Reserve it for truly novel scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it lacks precedent" functions as a descriptor, indicating the absence of prior legal, historical, or procedural examples. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests that the current situation is novel, which is supported by examples across multiple contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it lacks precedent" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote the absence of prior examples or established cases for a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's common across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, emphasizing the novelty and uniqueness of the subject. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the potential for overstatement and ensure it accurately reflects the situation's originality. Alternative phrases, such as "it is unprecedented" or "it has no prior example", can provide similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is unprecedented

This alternative directly states that the situation has no prior occurrence.

it has no prior example

Focuses on the absence of a previous instance.

it has no historical parallel

Highlights the lack of similar events in history.

it is without parallel

Emphasizes the uniqueness of the situation.

it sets a new standard

Indicates that the current situation is establishing a new benchmark because of its novelty.

it breaks new ground

Suggests that the situation is innovative and unexplored.

it is a first of its kind

Highlights the originality and novelty of the situation.

there is no existing model

Focuses on the absence of a pre-existing framework or template.

it has no forerunner

Implies that there is nothing that came before it.

it defies convention

Highlights a departure from established norms or practices.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it lacks precedent"?

You can use alternatives such as "it is unprecedented", "it has no prior example", or "it is without parallel" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "it lacks precedent" in formal writing?

Yes, "it lacks precedent" is suitable for formal writing. It is often used in legal, academic, and professional contexts to describe situations that are novel or have no prior equivalent.

What does "it lacks precedent" mean?

The phrase "it lacks precedent" means that there is no prior example or established case that is similar to the situation being described. It implies that the situation is unique and requires a new approach.

What is the difference between "it lacks precedent" and "it sets a new standard"?

While both phrases describe a novel situation, "it lacks precedent" focuses on the absence of prior examples, while "it sets a new standard" emphasizes that the situation is establishing a new benchmark for future events.