A customary practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A customary practice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a behavior or action that is widely accepted and followed within a particular context or community. Example: "In our organization, holding weekly meetings is a customary practice that helps keep everyone informed and engaged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

A customary practice is to express sequence separations as distances, which play a role in the construction of trees.

Plosone

I asked if this was a customary practice of purveyors.

The New York Times - Food

He apparently uses an assumed name — a customary practice for Swedes seeking to remain anonymous because of a personal threat.

The New York Times - Health

Arsinoe II then married her own brother (c. 279 272 bce), a customary practice in Egypt but one until then foreign to the Greeks.

Britannica

"Someone shouted 'Attention!' and everyone came to attention," he recalled, explaining that this was a customary practice in the presence of a high-ranking official.

The New York Times

Gee said he did not feel like throwing additional pitches in the bullpen, a customary practice for pitchers trying to get sufficient work under their belts.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

However, while Afghanistan's civil code makes several references to a bride's exclusive right to a mahr, customary practice often replaces the mahr with a dowry given to the bride's family.

HuffPost

But in a break with customary practice, Ms. Reyashi's family did not set up a condolence tent to receive visitors on Thursday.

The New York Times

In a departure from customary practice, the first move came not from the union but from the strippers, asking for help and advice as they set out to create the Exotic Dancers Unionn.

The Economist

In August the new constitution of Somalia prohibited FGM on the basis that: "circumcision of girls is a cruel and degrading customary practice, and is tantamount to torture".

The Guardian

Following the medical center's customary practice for a bronchoscopy, Ms. Wan, a nursing student, remained there under observation for about 90 minutes.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a customary practice" to clearly indicate that an action or behavior is generally accepted and followed within a specific group, field, or culture. Ensure the context makes it clear who or what the practice is customary for.

Common error

Avoid using "a customary practice" when referring to something that is only practiced by a small minority or is newly introduced. The phrase implies widespread and established usage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a customary practice" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is suitable for use in written English. Examples from Ludwig show the phrase being used to describe established norms or behaviors within specific contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

24%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a customary practice" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves to describe an action or behavior widely accepted and followed within a particular context. Ludwig AI confirms its suitability in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral to professional register. When using the phrase, ensure that the described practice is genuinely widespread and established within the relevant group or field. Alternatives include ""a common procedure"" or ""a standard practice"", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common procedure

Focuses more on the procedural aspect, implying a set way of doing things.

a standard practice

Highlights the uniformity and established nature of the action.

a usual habit

Emphasizes the habitual nature, implying repeated behavior.

a typical custom

Underscores the cultural or societal aspect of the behavior.

an established norm

Highlights the societal acceptance and expectation of the behavior.

an accepted convention

Emphasizes the agreement and understanding surrounding the practice.

a traditional ritual

Implies a more formalized and symbolic action, rooted in tradition.

a routine activity

Focuses on the repetitive and predictable nature of the behavior.

a general rule

Suggests a broader application as a guideline or principle.

a prevailing trend

Suggests a widespread adoption or popularity of the practice.

FAQs

How can I use "a customary practice" in a sentence?

You can use "a customary practice" to describe actions or behaviors that are widely accepted and followed within a specific group or culture. For example: "Attending the annual company picnic is "a customary practice" for most employees".

What are some alternatives to "a customary practice"?

Some alternatives include "a common procedure", "a standard practice", or "a typical custom". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "customary practice"?

While "customary" and "practice" share semantic overlap, the phrase "a customary practice" is widely accepted and used to emphasize that the action is not just a one-off event but is a typical and established behavior.

What's the difference between "a customary practice" and "a tradition"?

"A tradition" often implies a practice that has been passed down through generations and carries cultural significance, whereas ""a customary practice"" is broader and can refer to any widely accepted behavior within a specific group or context, regardless of its historical roots.