precedent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'precedent' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a noun that refers to something that has been established as an example for something that is done afterwards, or an established precedent for future action. Example sentence: "The court set a precedent with its ruling that allowed for a new form of extradition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a complete breach of precedent".

The Guardian

But ITV can take some consolation from the fact that Strictly Come Dancing judges Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli have set a precedent and already appear as judges on both BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing and its American equivalent Dancing with the Stars, which airs on the US network ABC.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That would certainly follow the Sopranos precedent, the idea that we're just popping in on these people as they live their lives, they don't change, their lives go on.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"He commended the precedent to president Putin," Abbott's office said.

The Guardian

The proposed changes were opposed by commercial rivals including Channel 4 and Channel 5, who argued it would set an "unwelcome precedent" that would "devalue" public service broadcasting.

The Guardian

There were even rules outlining how "cute" members' avatars had to be, the precedent set by the hard-rocking piglet himself.

The Guardian - Books

And for a leadership already grappling with separatist movements in the western regions Tibet and Xinjiang, any sort of successful independence movement would set an unthinkable precedent.

The Guardian

Produced by the ministry of foreign affairs, the advert called on the US courts to judge the situation fairly and set a sustainable precedent for other sovereign debt defaults.

The Guardian - Business

But the fate of Nineveh and Tyre, the ancient cities of the Assyrians and Phoenicians, doesn't seem quite the right historical precedent for towns such as Burnley and Paisley.

The Guardian - Opinion

The caddies hired a law firm, who told them that through last year's landmark O'Bannon v NCAA sports image rights case, legal precedent had been set, making the case "a slam dunk".

The Guardian - Sport

Further help in keeping interfering ministers and mandarins at bay came from the Millennium Dome – or rather the precedent it had set.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "precedent", specify the area it influences. For example, clarify if it's a "legal precedent", "historical precedent", or "business precedent".

Common error

Avoid assuming a "precedent" guarantees a specific future outcome. A "precedent" offers guidance, but circumstances can change, leading to different results.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "precedent" is that of a noun, serving to identify a prior event or action that influences subsequent decisions or behaviors. Ludwig examples showcase this function in various contexts, such as legal, historical, and business settings. According to Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically correct and suitable for English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "precedent" is a grammatically sound noun used to denote a prior event that serves as a guide for future situations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suitability in English writing. It's frequently found in contexts such as News & Media, Formal & Business and Science. When employing "precedent", specifying the area of influence is crucial, such as "legal precedent" or "historical precedent". While "precedent" offers guidance, it does not guarantee future outcomes due to changing circumstances. Common alternative phrases include "previous instance", "established pattern", and "historical example". This analysis should assist writers in effectively using "precedent" in their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

benchmark case

Focuses on the role of the case as a standard or reference point.

previous instance

Focuses on the specific occurrence being considered as a guide.

legal foundation

Highlights the importance of the rule in legality matters.

established pattern

Highlights the regularity and consistency of the prior actions.

historical example

Emphasizes the event's place in history and its relevance as a guide.

prior authorization

Highlights the aspect of approval or permission given beforehand.

guiding principle

Stresses the conceptual aspect of providing direction and rules.

test case

Highlights the use of a previous action as a benchmark to other cases.

model behavior

Highlights the use of a previous action as an example.

point of reference

Emphasizes its function as something to compare other things to.

FAQs

How to use "precedent" in a sentence?

You can use "precedent" to refer to a previous action or decision that serves as a guide for similar situations. For example: "The court's decision set a new "legal precedent"." or "This action lacks "historical precedent"."

What can I say instead of "precedent"?

You can use alternatives like "previous instance", "established pattern", or "historical example" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "setting a precedent" or "setting the precedent"?

"Setting a precedent" is generally more appropriate when establishing a new standard. "Setting the precedent" can be used if referring to a specific, already understood precedent.

What's the difference between "precedent" and "tradition"?

"Precedent" refers to a specific past action used as a guide, especially in legal or formal contexts. "Tradition" (/s/tradition) refers to a custom or belief passed down through generations, not necessarily based on a single prior event.