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Confusables Entry 1061 / 1350 60-second read

Precedence vs. Precedents

Priority (uncountable) versus plural of precedent.

The comparisoni

✗ Wrong

Safety takes precedents over speed.

✓ Correct

Safety takes precedence over speed.

The ruleii

PRECEDENCE = priority. PRECEDENTS = plural of precedent.

PRECEDENCE (ends -ENCE) is uncountable — priority, the act of going before. PRECEDENTS (ends -ENTS, pluralised) are earlier cases that set examples.

Memory aidiii

Remember it like this

Priority = PRECEDENCE. Plural cases = PRECEDENTS.

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