a traditional practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a traditional practice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a custom or activity that has been followed for a long time within a particular culture or community. Example: "The festival is a traditional practice that has been celebrated for generations in this town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's hard to do a traditional practice analysis," Dr. Ralston said.

The New York Times

In its best moments, the clinic demanded a creativity that was more rewarding than a traditional practice.

The Washington Post

It also outlaws "ba'ad," a traditional practice of exchanging women or girls to settle disputes or debts.

The New York Times

She wore vermillion in her hair, a traditional practice my mother had shunned, that powdery red stain the strongest element of her appearance.

The New Yorker

The mutilation is a traditional practice from Cameroon designed to deter unwanted male attention, pregnancy and rape by delaying the signs that a girl is becoming a woman.

Independent

Dr. Gallups transformed a traditional practice into an entrepreneurial enterprise that is growing so fast that its revenue has been doubling every 18 months.

The New York Times

And Young's two, huge and gleaming white Moon Jars in the gallery's windows take a traditional practice to its ultimate limit.

The New York Times

At the camp, Florence and the girls were forced to participate in kusasa fumbi a traditional practice common in southern Malawi to cleanse girls of their "childhood dust" and prepare them to become wives.

The Guardian

It is especially important for people in nations where it is widespread not to accept it as a traditional practice but to see it as one of the most serious abuses of human rights.

The New York Times

Dr. Seedor is in the mode of a traditional practice: a patient pays for the attention and experience of the surgeon, $2,650 an eye in Ms. Bass's case.

The New York Times - Science

The temporary commandeering of buses for such purposes, the GIEI report stated, "has been a traditional practice" of the normal schools throughout Mexico, widely known to authorities and bus companies.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a traditional practice", ensure the context clearly indicates the culture or community in which the practice is considered traditional. Specify the origin if relevant to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a traditional practice" without providing context. What may be traditional in one culture might be unfamiliar or even unacceptable in another. Always ensure clarity for your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a traditional practice" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a verb. It identifies a custom or activity rooted in the past. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a traditional practice" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for describing customs or behaviors passed down through generations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. While versatile, it's crucial to provide context and cultural sensitivity when discussing such practices. Alternatives like "an age-old custom" or "a time-honored tradition" may offer nuanced variations, but the core meaning remains consistent across diverse sources, primarily in news, scientific, and formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a customary procedure

Replaces "practice" with "procedure", emphasizing the formal or established nature of the custom.

an age-old custom

Substitutes "traditional" with "age-old", highlighting the long history of the custom.

a long-established convention

Uses "convention" instead of "practice" to suggest a more formal or agreed-upon custom.

a time-honored tradition

Replaces both "traditional" and "practice" with "time-honored tradition", stressing the respect and value associated with the custom.

a deeply rooted cultural norm

Emphasizes the cultural significance and pervasiveness of the practice.

a historical precedent

Focuses on the practice as a past example or justification for current actions.

a conventional method

Swaps "traditional practice" for "conventional method", focusing on the adherence to accepted ways of doing something.

an established ritual

Replaces "practice" with "ritual", suggesting a more ceremonial or symbolic action.

a longstanding habit

Highlights the habitual and repetitive nature of the practice.

a common custom

Uses "common" to highlight the widespread nature of the practice.

FAQs

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

You can use "a traditional practice" to describe customs or behaviors passed down through generations. For example, "The tea ceremony is "a traditional practice" in Japan."

What are some synonyms for "a traditional practice"?

Alternatives include "an age-old custom", "a long-established convention", or "a time-honored tradition" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to refer to something as "a traditional practice"?

While the phrase is grammatically correct, consider the cultural sensitivity of the practice. Some "traditional practices" may be harmful or controversial, and it's important to approach the topic with respect and awareness.

What is the difference between "a traditional practice" and "a cultural norm"?

"A traditional practice" refers specifically to a custom or behavior passed down through generations. "A cultural norm" is a broader term referring to any standard of behavior or belief within a culture, which may or may not be traditional.