a longstanding system

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a longstanding system" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a system that has been in place for a long time, often implying stability or tradition. Example: "The organization has relied on a longstanding system of governance that has proven effective over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

At the moment, auditors are supposedly kept honest by a longstanding system of self-regulation, in which big firms conduct "peer reviews" of each others' audit practices.

The Economist

The onslaught has broken up a longstanding system in which the local police looked the other way for a bribe and cartel leaders went about their business.

The New York Times

While Mr. Morales, a senior executive at the huge Cuban state-owned company Cimex until 2006, acknowledged that the government did not yet have the infrastructure to organize a full-scale car market, he argued that it was most likely also reluctant to unsettle a longstanding system of privilege that rewarded workers in certain sectors.

The New York Times

Every day, 300 New York City teachers accused of misconduct or incompetence -- more than are employed in many suburban school systems -- are paid to show up in district offices and do nothing while they wait for a longstanding system of disciplinary hearings to grind on, sometimes for years.

The New York Times

Some advocates for bilingual education are lining up to support the recommendations of the board subcommittee chairman, Irving S. Hamer Jr., who wants to preserve a longstanding system that encourages immigrants and other non-English-speaking students to take their classes in both English and their native languages.

The New York Times

And in 2011, the coalition government scrapped a longstanding system of funding new social rented housing, replacing it with much smaller construction subsidies but with landlords allowed to charge tenants up to 80% of local market rate, known as "affordable rents".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

While primary-care ILI surveillance is a sustainable and longstanding system for estimating influenza dynamics, it is susceptible to presentation bias, particularly under certain scenarios e.g. pH1N1, which can affect the estimated disease burden [ 1, 11] and reduce comparability between seasons and countries.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Consider, for example, an elaborate and longstanding system of informal economic exchange among members of different societies that have no common system of laws or enforced rules.

SEP

Not only did they manage to keep out the rider to expand party spending, but they also headed off an effort to hamstring the longstanding system of public financing for presidential campaigns.

The Washington Post

Such a move would break from Maryland's longstanding system of transportation funding, under which the same fees and taxes apply in all parts of the state and revenues are funneled into a Transportation Trust Fund to support roads, mass transit and other modes of travel.

Huffington Post

The US National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) is a longstanding grading system widely used for evaluating an array of adverse events in cancer treatment.

Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a longstanding system", ensure the context clearly indicates the duration and impact of the system. Provide specific details or examples to illustrate its significance and how it has evolved over time.

Common error

Avoid using "a longstanding system" when the system's duration is relatively short or its impact is limited. Overusing the phrase can diminish its effectiveness and credibility. Be precise about the actual age and influence of the system.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a longstanding system" functions as a noun phrase, where "longstanding" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "system". It identifies and describes a particular type of system characterized by its duration and continued existence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

28%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a longstanding system" is a grammatically sound way to refer to systems that have existed for a considerable duration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While "a longstanding system" is relatively common, its impact can be amplified by providing details about its duration and influence. Alternatives like "an established practice" or "a time-honored tradition" can add nuances to your writing, depending on the specific context. Be mindful of overstating the 'longstanding' aspect, and ensure the system's duration justifies the description. Given its use across news, academia and science, the phrase maintains a neutral register appropriate for diverse audiences. Therefore, using "a longstanding system" correctly conveys a sense of historical context and established practices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an established practice

Replaces "system" with "practice" and "longstanding" with "established", focusing more on habitual actions.

a long-established method

Substitutes "system" with "method" and uses "long-established" which has a slightly more formal tone.

a time-honored tradition

Emphasizes the respect and value associated with the system by calling it a "tradition" and using "time-honored."

a well-established protocol

Replaces "system" with "protocol", suggesting a more formalized or regulated process.

a customary procedure

Replaces system with procedure which implies steps or a series of actions in the system.

a traditional arrangement

Replaces "system" with "arrangement" and "longstanding" with "traditional", softening the formal tone.

a historical framework

Uses "framework" to represent the system, emphasizing its structural nature and historical context.

an enduring mechanism

Emphasizes the persistent nature of the system by using "enduring" and replaces system with mechanism.

a deeply rooted structure

Highlights the entrenched nature of the system by using "deeply rooted" and "structure".

an age-old institution

Uses "institution" instead of "system" and "age-old" in place of "longstanding", conveying a sense of great antiquity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a longstanding system" to describe processes, organizations, or sets of rules that have been in place for a significant amount of time. For example, "The company benefits from "a longstanding system" of employee mentorship."

What are some alternatives to "a longstanding system"?

Alternatives include "an established practice", "a time-honored tradition", or "a long-established method". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuances you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a very longstanding system"?

While not grammatically incorrect, adding "very" can be redundant. "Longstanding" already implies a considerable duration. Consider stronger synonyms or providing context instead; for example, "a system in place for over a century" might be more impactful.

Which is more appropriate, "a longstanding system" or "an old system"?

"A longstanding system" emphasizes the duration and often implies continued relevance or impact, whereas "an old system" simply refers to age, potentially suggesting obsolescence. Choose "a longstanding system" when you want to highlight the enduring nature of the system.