a customary procedure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a customary procedure" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a routine or established way of doing something. It implies that this procedure is the expected or usual way of handling a task or situation. Example: It is a customary procedure for employees to clock in and out at the beginning and end of their shifts.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

A customary procedure is to build several test airplanes solely to verify the design.

Britannica

One officer carefully checked his ID, hardly a customary procedure for every City Hall visitor.

The New York Times

The National Transportation Safety Board has provided observers, a customary procedure because the plane was built in the United States.

The New York Times

She was sentenced, along with 22 others, by hooded military judges — then a customary procedure for dealing with accused terrorists.

The New York Times - Magazine

The classification of pesticides by hazard is based principally on the acute oral and dermal toxicity to the rat which is a customary procedure in toxicology.

Applied Water Science

The fact that the French ministry of culture was never handed a sales certificate — a customary procedure for any sale outside of France of a painting worth over 150,000 Euros ($162,000) — also raised suspicion.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The judges noted that the S.E.C. staff declined to seek the prosecution of Mr. Matthews and that, in a departure from customary procedure, the Justice Department brought the charges against him on its own.

The New York Times

As a result, the customary procedure was to operate into the abdominal cavity, which was often excessively invasive.

HuffPost

Prohibitions against human dissection were slowly lifting, and Mondino performed his own dissections rather than following the customary procedure of entrusting the task to a menial.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An officer with the brigade told me that, while this was customary procedure, detainees were generally photographed as a group with contraband, not individually, as they were done in the pictures that accompanied my story.

The New Yorker

"The bottom line is that a lot of prenatal tests are done to identify deformities in utero and the customary procedure is to encourage abortions," Mr. Santorum said during an appearance on CBS's "Face the Nation".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a customary procedure", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what group considers the procedure customary. Providing specific details enhances clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a procedure is "customary" across all contexts without proper justification. Clearly specify where and when the procedure is considered customary to avoid misleading the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a customary procedure" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or object, describing a particular process or method as being standard or typical. Ludwig AI validates its widespread use in describing established routines.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33.33%

Science

33.33%

Encyclopedias

16.67%

Less common in

Academia

8.33%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a customary procedure" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an action or method that is standard or typical. Ludwig AI confirms its use across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedias. While not exceedingly common, the phrase is well-understood and suitable for formal, professional, and neutral registers. Consider alternative phrases like "a standard practice" or "a common practice" to enhance clarity and avoid overgeneralization. Remember that, while useful, context is required to establish authority when declaring a procedure as customary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a standard practice

This alternative emphasizes the conformity to a norm or established method.

a common practice

This suggests widespread occurrence and acceptance, similar to the original phrase.

a typical process

This alternative focuses on the sequence of actions that are usually followed.

a usual method

This highlights the habitual or regular way of doing something.

an established protocol

This is a more formal term, often used in professional or scientific contexts, denoting a set of rules.

a routine operation

Suggests a procedure performed regularly and without much variation.

a normal course of action

This suggests the expected sequence of steps taken in a given situation.

the conventional approach

This emphasizes adherence to accepted standards and practices.

the accepted way

This focuses on the idea that something is generally agreed upon as the correct method.

the prescribed manner

Implies that the method has been officially set or mandated.

FAQs

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

You can use "a customary procedure" to describe a routine or established method. For example, "It is "a customary procedure" for employees to attend the safety briefing."

What are some alternatives to "a customary procedure"?

Alternatives include "a standard practice", "a common practice", or "a typical process" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a customary procedure" in formal writing?

Yes, "a customary procedure" is suitable for formal writing. It's a neutral and clear way to describe an established method or practice.

What's the difference between "a customary procedure" and "a mandatory procedure"?

"A customary procedure" is one that is typically followed, while "a mandatory procedure" is one that is required or enforced by rules or regulations.