a long tradition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long tradition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a practice, custom, or belief that has been maintained over an extended period of time. Example: "The festival has a long tradition of celebrating the harvest with music and dance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There is a long tradition of this".

The New York Times

It's a long tradition.

The New York Times - Books

"There's a long tradition there".

The New York Times

Baseball has a long tradition in San Francisco.

The New York Times - Sports

They're part of a long tradition.

The Washington Post

France has a long tradition of tolerance.

The Guardian

There is a long tradition behind this.

The New York Times

"There's a long tradition," says Makari.

The Guardian

It's a long tradition, amply described.

The New Yorker

Conquering fear has a long tradition.

The New York Times

Connecticut has a long tradition of camping.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a long tradition", ensure the context clearly establishes what specific practice, belief, or custom has been maintained over time. Provide enough background information to make the tradition's significance apparent to the reader.

Common error

Don't assume your audience understands the tradition you're referencing. Clearly define the tradition and its importance; otherwise, the phrase becomes a meaningless cliché.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long tradition" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes something established and maintained over time. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, describing practices, beliefs, or customs with significant historical depth.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a long tradition" is a commonly used noun phrase that indicates a practice, belief, or custom that has been maintained over an extended period. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility. It's crucial to use it in contexts where the tradition is clearly defined and relevant, avoiding vague references that dilute its impact. When crafting your content you could consider alternatives like "a long-standing custom" or "a rich heritage" to convey slightly different nuances. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica frequently employ this phrase, solidifying its place in formal and informal discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a long-standing custom

Replaces 'tradition' with 'custom' and uses 'long-standing' to emphasize duration, creating a slightly more formal tone.

a rich heritage

Substitutes 'tradition' with 'heritage' to focus on inherited values and practices, adding a sense of cultural significance.

a deep-rooted practice

Replaces 'long tradition' with 'deep-rooted practice' to emphasize how ingrained the practice is.

a time-honored institution

Focuses on formal establishments and uses 'time-honored' to show respect for age and history.

an age-old custom

Uses 'age-old' for a more emphatic sense of antiquity and replaces tradition with custom.

a historical precedent

Emphasizes the existence of prior events that justify current actions or beliefs, differing slightly in focus.

a celebrated legacy

Highlights the positive impact and widespread recognition of the tradition, adding a sense of admiration.

a venerable history

Uses 'venerable' to suggest respect and reverence, highlighting the age and importance of the historical narrative.

an established norm

Replaces 'tradition' with 'norm' to emphasize its acceptance and prevalence in society.

a conventional practice

Focuses on the adherence to established ways, indicating something that is commonly done and accepted.

FAQs

How can I use "a long tradition" in a sentence?

You can use "a long tradition" to describe a practice, belief, or custom that has been maintained over an extended period. For example, "The city has "a long tradition" of celebrating its founding with a parade."

What are some alternatives to saying "a long tradition"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a long-standing custom", "a rich heritage", or "a deep-rooted practice".

Is it always necessary to specify the origin of "a long tradition"?

While not always mandatory, specifying the origin or context of "a long tradition" enhances clarity and understanding. For instance, instead of simply saying "It's "a long tradition"", you could say "It's "a long tradition" in our family to gather for Thanksgiving."

How does "a long tradition" differ from "a historical precedent"?

"A long tradition" emphasizes the continuity of a practice over time, while "a historical precedent" highlights a past event that serves as a justification or example for current actions. A tradition is ongoing, whereas a precedent is a singular, past occurrence.