the precedent points

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the precedent points" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing prior decisions or examples that serve as a guide for current situations, particularly in legal or formal discussions. Example: "In this case, the precedent points to a clear interpretation of the law that we must follow."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Then, 10/50/90 (set 1) combination is added to the precedent points.

Pacific Journal of Mathematics for Industry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The precedents point in two directions, for and against the corporations, and are worth exploring.

Huffington Post

Where precedent points toward the clause applying to the president, a further dispute arises over whether it simply covers gifts or other payments.

Huffington Post

May a later court avoid the result of the precedent by pointing to any general factual difference between the cases (e.g. this is real property rather than personal property, this is an implied rather than an express trust), and distinguish the precedent by stating a narrower ratio?

SEP

But if Goodell sets the precedent from this point forward that if a player is punished by the NCAA, it will carry over to their standing with their future employer, well, there's a chance that those extra benefits may not seem as worth it to these college players.

Huffington Post

The court's precedents point both ways in the health care case, and it is hard to say what the outcome will be.

The New York Times

He points to the precedent of the Josephson-junction circuit.

The New Yorker

To those who argue that international laws on crimes against humanity did not exist when the civil war ended in 1939, he points to the precedent of the Nuremberg trials of top Nazis.

The Economist

So you have these historical precedents pointing to the fact that there will probably be a substantial recovery over the next two years.

Forbes

"If he gets acquitted, the risk is that next time something like this happens, people will point to the precedent," she said.

The New York Times

They also pointed to the precedent of 2001 climate change talks which were only converted to a legal status months after political will was agreed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the precedent points" when you want to indicate that existing legal or historical examples suggest a particular course of action or outcome.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "the precedent points" definitively dictates an outcome. It merely suggests a likely direction based on past instances, which may not be fully applicable to the current situation due to differing circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the precedent points" functions as an indicative expression. It is used to suggest a likely outcome or direction based on previous examples, particularly in legal or formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the precedent points" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to suggest a likely outcome based on prior instances, as confirmed by Ludwig. Although relatively rare, its usage is most common in news, scientific, and legal contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. When using this phrase, ensure that the precedents you cite are relevant and accurately support your argument. Alternatives like "precedent suggests" or "prior rulings indicate" can be used for variety. Avoid overstating the certainty implied by the precedents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precedent indicates

This phrase uses a more direct verb to convey the suggestion of precedent.

prior rulings suggest

This alternative emphasizes the legal aspect and uses 'suggest' for a softer implication.

historical examples show

This option focuses on historical data, replacing legal language with broader examples.

the evidence suggests

A more general approach, focusing on evidence rather than legal precedent.

past cases imply

This alternative utilizes 'imply' to suggest an indirect indication from past cases.

established practice suggests

This variant focuses on the consistency and establishment of certain actions.

the record suggests

This phrasing emphasizes that the information is based on documented records.

previous instances suggest

Replaces the legal term with 'instances', suitable for non-legal contexts.

the trend indicates

This choice focuses on a pattern or trend rather than explicit rulings.

earlier situations demonstrate

This alternative is more descriptive, using 'demonstrate' to show causality.

FAQs

How can I use "the precedent points" in a sentence?

You can use "the precedent points" to suggest a likely outcome based on prior examples or rulings. For example, "In similar cases, the precedent points to a lenient sentence".

What's a good substitute for "the precedent points"?

Alternatives include "precedent suggests", "prior rulings indicate", or "historical examples show". Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

Is it correct to say "the precedents point" instead of "the precedent points"?

Yes, "the precedents point" is also correct. The choice depends on whether you are referring to a single key precedent or multiple precedents collectively. For example, if the precedents are solid "prior rulings suggest" that a certain outcome should take place.

How does "the precedent points" differ from "the evidence suggests"?

"The precedent points" specifically refers to prior legal or historical cases, while "the evidence suggests" is a more general phrase that can apply to any type of evidence. "The evidence suggests" implies that there is proof, where "the precedent points" there are similar cases that may not be exactly the same.