past precedent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "past precedent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a practice that has been established through previous decisions or accepted standards. For example, "The court’s decision was based on past precedent that established a standard for this type of case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

No one, if past precedent is any guide.

The New York Times

If past precedent is any guide, this will not save Groupon.

The New York Times

Petitioner asserts this holding departs from past precedent in two respects.

Cornell University

subsequent development" of the law sufficient to lead to a reconsideration of past precedent.

Cornell University

On past precedent, Israel would be highly unlikely to cooperate with any such investigation.

The Guardian

Breaking with past precedent for U.S. presidents, Trump has refused to release his returns publicly.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

If past precedents are anything to go by, not much.

The Guardian

Many cited past precedents in both secular and religious realms.

The New York Times

Liberals on the court are particularly leery of its strengthened conservative majority overturning past precedents.

The Washington Post

Professors Neustadt and May advised policymakers considering past precedents to make lists of similarities, differences and unknowns.

The New York Times

Past precedents do not make one hopeful about present peace moves because too many crises have been wrapped into one.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When arguing for a specific course of action, support your claims by citing "past precedent" to demonstrate its viability and acceptance.

Common error

Avoid confusing "past precedent", which refers to previous cases or rulings, with "precedence", which means priority or importance. Ensure you're using "precedent" to refer to prior examples and not to imply a matter of rank or order.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "past precedent" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or as a complement within a clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples from Ludwig show it in diverse contexts, such as legal rulings and historical events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

31%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science & Research

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Opinion

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "past precedent" is a grammatically sound and widely used noun phrase that refers to previous instances or rulings which influence current actions or decisions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts. While "precedent" inherently implies something from the past, including "past" emphasizes this aspect, providing clarity. When writing, remember to differentiate "precedent" from "precedence" to avoid confusion. Its frequent appearance in News & Media and Academia highlights its relevance in both journalistic and scholarly discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous ruling

Focuses specifically on legal or official decisions from the past.

established practice

Emphasizes the customary and accepted way of doing things.

historical example

Highlights a specific instance from the past serving as a guide.

prior instance

Refers to a previous occurrence of something similar.

accepted norm

Stresses the conformity to a standard or behavior over time.

conventional wisdom

Highlights beliefs and ideas that are widely accepted.

tradition

Emphasizes long-standing cultural or social practices.

track record

Refers to the cumulative history of performance or events.

body of case law

Addresses the accumulated legal decisions that constitute legal precedent.

legacy

Suggests something inherited or derived from the past.

FAQs

How can I use "past precedent" in a sentence?

You can use "past precedent" to refer to prior instances or rulings that serve as a guide for current actions, for example: "The court's decision aligned with "past precedent" in similar cases".

What's the difference between "past precedent" and "established practice"?

"Past precedent" usually refers to specific prior rulings or cases, particularly in legal or formal contexts, while "established practice" refers more broadly to customary and accepted ways of doing things.

What are some alternatives to saying "past precedent"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "prior instance", "historical example", or "previous ruling".

Is "past precedent" redundant?

While "precedent" inherently refers to something that came before, using "past precedent" can emphasize that you're specifically referring to previously established cases or practices, adding clarity.