a routine thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a routine thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or task that is performed regularly or habitually. Example: "For me, going for a morning jog has become a routine thing that I look forward to every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"It was a routine thing for him to go there in the morning for breakfast, and unfortunately it happened".

The New York Times

"It doesn't come up very often," he said, "But in our own discussions in the office, it's a routine thing".

The New York Times

The city may consider the notices "a routine thing," he said, "but it's not routine when you see it on your door".

The New York Times

"This Muslim police officer taken off-duty was a routine thing, but it was blown totally out of proportion," said Dr Reefat Drabu of the Muslim Council of Britain.

The Guardian

In the women's conference tournaments, Connecticut's Big East victory would seem like a routine thing considering its usual dominance, but it required the Huskies to learn how to fight back after Notre Dame had seemed to pass them this season, writes Jeff Jacobs in The Hartford Courant.

The New York Times

Attending university was often seen as a rite of passage, the barmitzvah of your education if you will, and was entered into as a routine thing to do – school, university, the inevitable gap year, then onwards to that career that graduates are assured will be waiting for them at the end of their studies.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Like the whole having-a-routine thing, I started to seriously miss talking to co-workers — or really, anyone — during the days.Sure, I could go to a coffee shop, but I still wouldn't interact with anyone except the barista.

HuffPost

You can likely do almost any routine thing in 30 minutes or less once the routine is established.

WikiHow

"Under these circumstances, an indictment is taken as a pretty routine thing," said Julian Palmer, the executive director of New York State Common Cause, who compiled the statistics.

The New York Times

There are still a few disturbing sidelights to the World Cup, one being Blatter's chastising President Nicolas Sarkozy of France for threatening to meddle with the soccer federation (apparently, he finds telling a head of state what to do a rather routine thing).

The New York Times

"It has become a fairly routine thing for parents to allow their children to have alcohol parties in their homes, and that is not O.K.," said State Senator Eileen M. Daily, a Democrat from Westbrook who is on the Judiciary Committee.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a routine thing", ensure the context clearly establishes what is considered 'routine'. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a routine thing" to describe something that is universally considered routine. Instead, use it when describing something that is routine within a specific context or for a particular group of people.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a routine thing" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes something that is done regularly or habitually. It often qualifies an action or process, indicating its ordinariness or frequency.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a routine thing" is a phrase used to describe something that is done regularly or considered normal. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and can be used in various contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferable in professional settings. The phrase functions as a noun phrase and conveys that something is commonplace or part of an established pattern. While most frequent in news and media, it appears in scientific and academic sources as well. To ensure clarity, it's best to use the phrase in contexts where what is considered 'routine' is clearly established. Alternatives include ""a common occurrence"" or ""a regular event"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common occurrence

Replaces 'routine' with 'common', emphasizing frequency rather than established procedure.

a regular event

Substitutes 'routine' with 'regular', highlighting the consistent timing or repetition of the event.

a standard procedure

Focuses on the process being typical and accepted, shifting from frequency to standardization.

an everyday matter

Highlights the ordinariness and lack of special significance.

a normal practice

Emphasizes that the activity is usual and not exceptional.

a typical activity

Similar to 'normal practice' but focuses on the action itself being representative of a larger set.

an established habit

Highlights the habitual nature of the action, focusing on personal or organizational behavior.

a customary affair

Replaces 'routine' with 'customary', suggesting a tradition or widely accepted practice.

a usual state of affairs

Describes a situation that is generally expected or found.

business as usual

Implies that things are proceeding normally despite potential disruptions or changes.

FAQs

How can I use "a routine thing" in a sentence?

You can use "a routine thing" to describe an action or event that is done regularly or is considered normal. For example, "Checking emails in the morning is "a routine thing" for many people".

What are some alternatives to saying "a routine thing"?

Alternatives to "a routine thing" include "a common occurrence", "a regular event", or "a standard procedure", depending on the specific context.

Is "a routine thing" formal or informal?

"A routine thing" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might be preferred in certain professional settings.

What's the difference between "a routine thing" and "business as usual"?

"A routine thing" describes an action or event that is regularly performed. "Business as usual", on the other hand, implies that operations are continuing normally despite potential disruptions or changes.