precedent precedent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "precedent precedent" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to emphasize the importance of a prior decision or ruling, but the repetition is unnecessary and confusing. Example: "In this case, the court must consider the precedent set in the previous ruling, as it serves as a guiding principle for their decision."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That "no" reflects precedent, precedent that shows there is no pre-existing legal category of exceptions to the exclusionary rule into which the knock-and-announce cases might fit.

Cornell University

The described 2-step analysis approached the interaction between speaker (same/different) and precedent (precedent mismatch/no precedent).

Cerebral Cortex

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Historical Precedents Precedents were set long ago, making Mr. Bush only the latest of many presidents to restrict civil liberties in wartime.

The New York Times

This paper describes a reduction-graph model of legal precedents that accounts for a key characteristic of legal precedents: a precedent's relevance to subsequent cases is determined by the theory under which the precedent is decided.

Artificial Intelligence

What mattered was the precedent, and the precedent could be as unprecedented as you liked.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But it is a bad precedent, the type of precedent that causes democracies to erode.

The New York Times

But now I know there's precedent – and what a precedent.

The Guardian - Books

We present a hybrid representation of architectural precedents that separates precedent instances from the concepts they embody, where the concepts are defined in terms of multiple classification taxonomies.

Automation in Construction

In the United States, law is based on precedent, and precedent is best applied in an environment where things do not change.

Nature

In dissent, Justice Alito wrote that "the court's decision creates a precedent about precedent that may have greater precedential effect than the dubious decisions on which it relies".

The New York Times

In addition, the case fits the Court's own criteria for overruling precedent very well (though the Court is far from uniformly consistent in following its precedents about precedent).

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the redundant phrase "precedent precedent". Instead, use more precise and grammatically correct alternatives like "established precedent" or "relevant case law" to ensure clarity and professionalism in your writing.

Common error

Be mindful of using repetitive words or phrases that don't add meaning. While emphasis can be achieved through careful word choice, repeating the same word consecutively, as in "precedent precedent", can weaken your writing and make it sound less professional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "precedent precedent" functions as a noun phrase, though it is grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, this repetition is unnecessary and confusing. It attempts to emphasize a prior decision, but the duplication weakens its impact.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "precedent precedent" is grammatically incorrect and rarely used, according to Ludwig AI. Although the intention might be to emphasize a prior legal decision or established principle, the repetition is redundant and ineffective. More appropriate alternatives include "established precedent" or "binding precedent". While the phrase appears across contexts such as academia, news, and science, its infrequent and incorrect usage suggests avoiding it in formal and professional writing. Instead, prioritize clarity and precision by employing grammatically sound and widely accepted alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

established precedent

Emphasizes that the precedent is well-recognized and accepted.

binding precedent

Indicates that the precedent must be followed in subsequent cases.

relevant case law

Highlights the legal aspect and its applicability.

governing precedent

Suggests the precedent has authority over the current situation.

leading case

Identifies a significant and influential precedent.

historical precedent

Refers to precedents set in the past, emphasizing their historical context.

prior decision

A more general term for a previous ruling that may serve as a guide.

previous ruling

Similar to 'prior decision', but emphasizes the act of ruling.

existing legal standard

Focuses on the established legal principles.

case in point

Highlights a specific example that illustrates a principle or argument.

FAQs

Is the phrase "precedent precedent" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "precedent precedent" is not grammatically correct and is considered redundant. It's better to use alternatives like "established precedent" or "binding precedent" for clarity.

What does "established precedent" mean and when should I use it?

/s/established+precedent refers to a legal decision or case that has been widely accepted and followed over time. Use it when you want to emphasize that a precedent is well-recognized and authoritative.

How does "binding precedent" differ from other types of precedent?

"Binding precedent", also known as stare decisis, is a precedent that a court must follow. Other types of precedent, like persuasive precedent, are not mandatory but can influence a court's decision. Use /s/binding+precedent when you want to emphasize the compulsory nature of a precedent.

Are there situations where repeating a word like in "precedent precedent" is acceptable in legal writing?

While legal writing often involves precise and careful phrasing, repeating the same word consecutively is generally avoided unless it serves a specific rhetorical purpose. In most cases, using synonyms or rephrasing the sentence is preferable for clarity and impact. Consider using phrases like "previous instance" or "historical antecedent" instead.