In the following question, four words are given. Select the correctly spelt word from the options: presedents, pricedents, precedents, prisedents.

Introduction / Context:

Legal and academic English makes frequent use of the noun precedents, which refers to earlier decisions or examples that guide future actions. Spelling questions based on such words help you read complex texts with confidence. Because the pronunciation may mislead learners into using wrong vowel combinations, it is useful to understand the internal structure of the word.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The options provided are presedents, pricedents, precedents, and prisedents.

- Only one option is the standard spelling of the plural noun meaning earlier examples or decisions.

- We assume the general legal and everyday sense of precedents.

- There are no widely accepted variant spellings in modern English.

Concept / Approach:

The word precedents is derived from the verb precede, meaning to come before, plus the noun forming suffix ents. This yields the spelling precedents with the letter e after pr and another e after c. The incorrect options change vowels or consonants so that they no longer reflect this base form. By identifying the base verb precede, we can lock in the correct spelling for the related noun.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Think of a legal example: The judge followed earlier precedents in this case. In written judgments and law books, the word appears as precedents, not in any of the incorrect forms. Additionally, if you look at the singular form precedent, you can see that only option precedents functions as its plural. The others would not even produce a recognisable singular form, which confirms that they are misspellings.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Presedents is wrong because it replaces c with s, losing the connection with the root precede. Pricedents is wrong because it adds i after pr, suggesting a completely different sound and structure. Prisedents is wrong for similar reasons, mixing s and i in confusing ways. None of these forms appears in formal writing or dictionaries as the plural of precedent.

Common Pitfalls:

Students often confuse precedent with president, leading them to spell precedents in a way that resembles the plural of president. This is why forms like presedents appear. To avoid this, focus on the root precede and link it mentally with the idea of going before. Once you have fixed that connection, the spelling precedents will feel more natural, and you will be less likely to mix it up with words related to presidents or prices.

Final Answer:

The correctly spelt word is precedents.