without precedent

USAGE SUMMARY

"without precedent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is particularly noteworthy, unexpected, or extraordinary. For example, "The success of the company's new product is without precedent in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This outbreak is without precedent.

The Economist

This is not without precedent.

Independent

"It's completely without precedent.

The New Yorker

It is without precedent.

The Guardian - Opinion

("Time Without Precedent").

The New Yorker

This isn't without precedent.

The Washington Post

This is a case without precedent".

The New York Times

The situation also seems without precedent.

The New York Times - Sports

And it was certainly not without precedent.

The New York Times - Books

MORE-modest productions are not without precedent.

The New York Times

That's a script utterly without precedent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without precedent" to highlight the unique nature of an event, situation, or achievement. Ensure that the context clearly supports the claim of uniqueness.

Common error

Avoid using "without precedent" if similar situations or events have occurred previously, even if they differ in scale or detail. Overusing the phrase diminishes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without precedent" functions as an adjective phrase, often used to describe a noun or situation, highlighting its uniqueness and lack of prior occurrence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to emphasize something extraordinary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without precedent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies the unique and novel nature of an event or situation. As Ludwig AI accurately indicates, it serves to emphasize the extraordinary quality of something that lacks any prior historical example. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, its use conveys a sense of formality and importance. While synonyms like "unparalleled" and "novel" exist, "without precedent" maintains a distinct emphasis on the absence of prior instances. When using this phrase, writers should ensure that the situation genuinely warrants such a claim of uniqueness to avoid overstatement and maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unparalleled

Focuses on the unmatched nature of something, implying no equivalent exists.

unmatched

Highlights the lack of a comparable entity or situation.

novel

Emphasizes the newness and originality of something.

unheard of

Stresses the unexpected and surprising nature of an event.

unexampled

A more formal synonym emphasizing the lack of prior instances.

untypical

Points out that something doesn't follow the normal course of actions. It doesn't have an equivalent.

unparalleled in history

Specific to historical contexts, highlighting a lack of precedent throughout history.

first of its kind

Highlights that something is the first instance to ever occur.

groundbreaking

Signifies innovation and the setting of a new standard, though not necessarily lacking all precedent.

never before seen

Emphasizes the novelty and visual uniqueness of something.

FAQs

How can I use "without precedent" in a sentence?

Use "without precedent" to describe something that has never happened before. For example, "The company's rapid growth is "without precedent" in the industry."

What are some alternatives to saying "without precedent"?

You can use alternatives like "unparalleled", "unmatched", or "novel" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "without precedent" or "unprecedented"?

"Without precedent" and "unprecedented" are similar, but "unprecedented" is more commonly used as an adjective. Both are correct, but their usage varies slightly depending on the sentence structure.

What does "without precedent" imply?

It implies that there is no prior example or occurrence of the event or situation being described, emphasizing its uniqueness and novelty.