A widespread practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A widespread practice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a behavior or action that is commonly accepted or performed by a large number of people or within a particular context. Example: "In many cultures, taking off shoes before entering a home is a widespread practice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A widespread practice is typically the adulteration of diesel oil by kerosene.

Journal of the European Optical Society-Rapid Publications

Displacement is a widespread practice.

The New York Times

Pill sharing among friends and family is a widespread practice.

Harvard University

"This was a widespread practice in the banking industry.

The New York Times

He continued: "It's hard to tag the governor uniquely when this is a widespread practice.

The New York Times

"Infanticide," Mr. Reilly said, shaking his head, "was a widespread practice then".

The New York Times

"This is not a widespread practice," said Mr. Morrell, the Pentagon press secretary.

The New York Times

Even if it is a widespread practice, it is cheating and it is wrong.

The Guardian

Spreading livestock manure as fertilizer on farmlands is a widespread practice.

Environmental Pollution

Enterprise risk management (ERM) has recently emerged as a widespread practice in financial institutions.

Management Accounting Research

Muscle stretching is a widespread practice and several studies have examined its effects.

Kinésithérapie, la Revue

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To strengthen your argument, specify the groups or areas where this practice is common. Instead of just saying 'a widespread practice', you could say 'a widespread practice among healthcare professionals' or 'a widespread practice in the tech industry'.

Common error

Avoid assuming that if something is a "widespread practice" it is necessarily acceptable or ethical. Always critically evaluate the practice in question.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widespread practice" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes something that is commonly done or accepted. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

53%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a widespread practice" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something that is widely done or accepted. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English. It is found across various contexts, particularly in science and news media, denoting its versatility. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly supports the claim of widespread adoption, and critically evaluate whether the practice is necessarily beneficial or ethical. Alternatives such as "a common procedure" or "a prevalent method" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A common procedure

Replaces 'practice' with 'procedure', implying a set of actions performed in a specific way.

A prevalent method

Substitutes 'widespread' with 'prevalent' and 'practice' with 'method', highlighting a dominant way of doing something.

A routine activity

Changes 'practice' to 'activity', suggesting that the behavior is regularly done.

A general trend

Emphasizes the popularity of something over time.

A customary approach

Highlights adherence to traditions or habits.

A standard procedure

Highlights adherence to standards or regulations.

A typical behavior

Emphasizes that it represents usual conduct

An established norm

Highlights its acceptance and integration within social or professional settings.

A well-known habit

Highlights familiarity and acknowledgement of the action by many.

A recognized pattern

Focuses on the visibility and acknowledgement of the action as a consistent occurrence.

FAQs

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

You can use "a widespread practice" to describe activities commonly performed or accepted. For example, "The use of reusable shopping bags is "a widespread practice" in many environmentally conscious communities."

What are some alternatives to "a widespread practice"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a common procedure", "a prevalent method", or "a routine activity", depending on the specific context.

Is it always correct to assume a "widespread practice" is a good thing?

No. Just because something is ""a widespread practice"" does not automatically make it ethical or beneficial. It's important to evaluate the implications of the practice.

What makes a practice qualify as "a widespread practice"?

A practice qualifies as ""a widespread practice"" when it is commonly observed and generally accepted within a particular group, industry, or society. The extent of the practice's adoption determines whether it can be considered widespread.