Words / C1

PRES-id-uh-nt/ˈpresɪdənt/

A precedent is an earlier case used as a rule later: set a precedent, without precedent, a legal precedent. Example is everyday and weaker; precede (already in the dictionary) is come before. President is a lookalike. Do not invent a precedent from one unofficial favour.

Meaning

An earlier action or decision that is used as an example or rule later.

Examples

• “Waiving the fee once created a precedent the board could not fund twice.”
• “Waiving the fee once set a precedent the board could not fund a second time.”
• “Precede is the verb “come before”. A president is a person. Example is weaker: a precedent is treated as binding or hard to refuse. One quiet favour is not yet a precedent until others can cite it.”

Good to know

An earlier case used as a rule. Verb cousin: precede (come before). Mix-up: president. Everyday: example (weaker). One unofficial favour ≠ a precedent.

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