“Precedence” and “precedents” are terms that are often confused due to their similar roots and meanings related to order and priority. However, they are used in different contexts. Understanding their distinct meanings will help you use them correctly.
Precedence
Definition:
“Precedence” refers to the condition of being more important or having higher priority over other matters. It can also mean the act of coming before something else in order or rank.
Examples:
The need for safety took precedence over all other matters.
The president’s speech was given precedence in the evening news over other stories.
In matters of national security, certain policies are given precedence.
Precedents:
Definition:
“Precedents” refer to previous actions, decisions, or cases that serve as examples or guides for future actions or decisions. They are often used in legal contexts to refer to prior judicial decisions.
Examples:
A few decisions established precedents for the pursuit of justice.
The lawyer cited several precedents to support his argument in court.
The new ruling will be influenced by precedents set in earlier cases.
While “precedence” and “precedents” are related through their root meaning of coming before, they are used differently. “Precedence” refers to priority or rank, indicating what is more important or comes first, whereas “precedents” refer to previous examples or decisions that guide future actions.
