principle of precedence

USAGE SUMMARY

'principle of precedence' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the idea that something that happened or was established previously should be given priority or take precedence over something that happened after it. For example, "We should follow the principle of precedence and adhere to the guidelines that were established at the beginning of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Smolin's principle of precedence arises as an answer to the question of why physical phenomena are reproducible.

The Guardian

If the principle of precedence is correct, the initial response of the system will be essentially random.

The Guardian

More recently, he has developed a provocative hypothesis about the emergence of the laws of quantum mechanics, called the principle of precedence – and this one seems much more readily put to the test.

The Guardian

One of Smolin's most astonishing ideas is something he calls the "principle of precedence," that repeated measurements of a particular phenomenon yield the same outcomes not because the phenomenon is subject to a law of nature but simply because the phenomenon has occurred in the past.

The New York Times - Books

In biology, the principle of precedence or "original intent" is sometimes used to decide among competing terminologies.

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In addition, the generic name Palaeochirogalus Grandidier, 1899, predates Pachylemur Lamberton, 1948, by half a century and thus takes precedence under the Principle of Priority, and Pachylemur Lamberton is itself unavailable because Lamberton failed to select a type species.

Wikipedia

The syntype for N. menagensis was collected by Lydekker in 1893 from the Philippine island of Tawi-Tawi, giving menagensis precedence over philippinus as the name of the species, under the Principle of Priority.

Wikipedia

Ministers want to end the principle of sons taking precedence over daughters as heirs to the throne.

BBC

Levinson (1983: 146ff) himself recognized that the togetherness implicature could not be explained in terms of Quantity, and suggested that a Principle of Informativeness took precedence for some unknown reason.

SEP

But someone might ask, why should the principle of equal respect take precedence over the principle J? They are both principles of justice so we need some reason for favoring the equal respect principle in general over the others.

SEP

We estimate that about 15 interviews will be needed though the guiding principle of saturation will take precedence in determining the completeness of the qualitative analysis [ 33, 39].

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "principle of precedence", ensure the context clearly establishes which element or concept takes priority and why. Provide specific examples to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid applying the "principle of precedence" without considering potential exceptions or conflicting principles. A rigid application can lead to unintended consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principle of precedence" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a guiding rule or standard based on prior events or established order. It is used to determine which considerations or guidelines should take priority in a given situation. Ludwig's examples show its application in various contexts like biology, quantum mechanics, and law.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The "principle of precedence" is a noun phrase indicating that prior events, rules, or established norms should take priority. Ludwig AI indicates it is a grammatically correct phrase, although relatively rare. It's primary purpose is to establish a hierarchy based on temporal sequence or established convention. It is often found in formal and scientific registers in sources such as The Guardian, The New York Times, and Wikipedia. When using this phrase, it is important to ensure that the context clearly defines which element or concept takes priority and why. Be mindful of potential exceptions or conflicting principles when applying this phrase. Alternatives include "order of priority", "hierarchy of principles", and "rule of priority".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

principle of priority

Focuses on giving something higher importance.

order of priority

Focuses on the sequential arrangement based on importance.

hierarchy of principles

Emphasizes the ranking of principles in a system.

rule of priority

Highlights a specific rule that dictates precedence.

precedence rule

A more concise way to refer to a rule that establishes precedence.

doctrine of precedence

Implies a well-established and formal principle.

superiority principle

Highlights the concept of one thing being superior to another.

primacy principle

Underscores the state of being first or foremost.

importance principle

Focuses on the relative significance of something.

principle of advantage

Highlights the benefits conferred by having precedence.

FAQs

How can I use "principle of precedence" in a sentence?

You can use "principle of precedence" to indicate that a prior rule or event should be given priority. For example, "In this legal case, the "principle of precedence" dictates that previous rulings on similar cases should be considered."

What's a good alternative to "principle of precedence"?

Alternatives include "order of priority", "hierarchy of principles", or "rule of priority" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "principle of precedence" and "principle of priority"?

While similar, "principle of precedence" often implies a temporal aspect (something earlier takes priority), whereas "principle of priority" simply indicates relative importance, regardless of time. For example, if one rule takes "principle of precedence" over another, that likely means it was enacted first. The "principle of priority" can depend on a number of factors.

Is "principle of precedence" the same as "precedent"?

"Precedent" refers to a specific instance or case that serves as an example or guide, whereas "principle of precedence" is the general concept that past precedents should inform current decisions.