a longstanding practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a longstanding practice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a custom or method that has been in place for a significant period of time. Example: "The organization has maintained a longstanding practice of conducting annual reviews to assess employee performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The memorandum also calls for the end to a longstanding practice of having juries deliberate through the lunch hour, because that too requires staff members to work, and collect overtime.

The New York Times

It is a longstanding practice in the industry, W.W.E.

The New York Times

David M. Steiner, the state education commissioner, said this request stemmed from a longstanding practice.

The New York Times

Israeli leaders have a longstanding practice of meeting the candidates from both parties.

The New York Times

"We have a longstanding practice of not commenting on pending litigation," Amazon spokesperson Shannon Midgley said.

The Washington Post

The chartered accountant RNS reported that this was a "longstanding practice".

The Guardian

It has a longstanding practice of not commenting on individual cases.

The Guardian

Screaming pursuit of a sensational event is a longstanding practice in the news media.

The New York Times

He said Salt Lake was getting clobbered for what had been a longstanding practice.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Bank of America values the independence of its research and has a longstanding practice of protecting that independence".

The New York Times

Instead, the Army's decision follows a longstanding practice of deciding such requests on a case-by-case basis, the letter said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a longstanding practice", ensure the context clearly indicates the duration and relevance of the practice to the subject matter.

Common error

Avoid using "a longstanding practice" for relatively new or recently adopted methods. This phrase implies a significant history.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a longstanding practice" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an established custom, method, or procedure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a longstanding practice" is a noun phrase used to describe a custom or method that has been in place for a significant period. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used, especially in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the practice has a significant history and choose alternatives like "a well-established custom" or "a time-honored tradition" to suit different contexts. Avoid misinterpreting the duration and using it for relatively recent practices. It's important to understand it conveys that the practice has been in place for a significant duration, as mentioned in Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a well-established custom

Emphasizes the established nature of the practice.

a time-honored tradition

Highlights the historical and respected nature of the practice.

a deeply rooted tradition

Highlights the depth and strength of the practice's establishment.

an age-old habit

Focuses on the long duration and habitual nature of the practice.

a long-established procedure

Replaces 'practice' with 'procedure', emphasizing the formal aspect.

a historical precedent

Stresses the use of past events as a justification.

a conventional method

Highlights adherence to accepted standards.

a customary approach

Focuses on the common and typical nature of the practice.

a traditional way

Emphasizes the inheritance and continuation of the practice.

an ingrained pattern

Implies the practice is deeply embedded and difficult to change.

FAQs

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

You can use "a longstanding practice" to describe a custom or method that has been in place for a significant period of time. For example, "The company has a longstanding practice of donating to local charities."

What can I say instead of "a longstanding practice"?

You can use alternatives like "a well-established custom", "a time-honored tradition", or "a long-established procedure" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a longstanding practice" when referring to something that started 10 years ago?

While 10 years may seem like a long time, "a longstanding practice" typically implies a longer history. Consider using alternatives like "an established practice" or "a common practice" if the history is relatively shorter.

What's the difference between "a longstanding practice" and "a common practice"?

"A longstanding practice" emphasizes the duration and history of the practice, while "a common practice" simply indicates that it is widely used, regardless of how long it has been in place.