a widespread practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a widespread practice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a behavior or action that is commonly accepted or done by many people in a particular context. Example: "In many cultures, taking off shoes before entering a home is a widespread practice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Displacement is a widespread practice.

The New York Times

"This was a widespread practice in the banking industry.

The New York Times

He continued: "It's hard to tag the governor uniquely when this is a widespread practice.

The New York Times

"Infanticide," Mr. Reilly said, shaking his head, "was a widespread practice then".

The New York Times

"This is not a widespread practice," said Mr. Morrell, the Pentagon press secretary.

The New York Times

Even if it is a widespread practice, it is cheating and it is wrong.

The Guardian

But ultimately, she said, she felt compelled to report what she thought was a widespread practice harmful to ordinary investors.

The New York Times

Bootlegging was not yet a widespread practice, and Mr. Kagarise was allowed to set up his equipment on the stage.

The New York Times - Arts

He believes that his case is of historic importance and will end a widespread practice that results in gross injustices.

The New Yorker

C James Murdoch personally signed a £780,000 cheque for a hacking victim without knowing it was a widespread practice.

Independent

But Monsignor Scicluna said he did not know whether that had become a widespread practice among local bishops.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a trend or phenomenon, use "a widespread practice" to emphasize its commonality across a population or industry. For example, "Remote work is a widespread practice in the tech industry."

Common error

Avoid using "a widespread practice" with overly general subjects. Instead of saying "Being nice is a widespread practice", specify the context: "Showing respect for elders is a widespread practice in many cultures."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widespread practice" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As seen in Ludwig, it describes an action, behavior, or method that is commonly and extensively adopted. This aligns with Ludwig AI stating that it describes a behavior or action that is commonly accepted or done by many people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a widespread practice" is a versatile phrase used to denote an action or behavior that is commonly accepted or performed, according to Ludwig AI. This phrase is grammatically correct and very common, appearing frequently in diverse contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it effectively conveys the prevalence of a particular behavior, method, or trend within a specified group or area. Using precise language and avoiding overly general subjects will ensure clarity and impact when incorporating this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prevalent practice

Replaces "widespread" with "prevalent", emphasizing the commonness of the practice.

a common practice

Uses "common" instead of "widespread", indicating the practice is frequently observed.

a frequent practice

Substitutes "widespread" with "frequent", highlighting the repeated occurrence of the practice.

a routine practice

Implies the practice is standard and regularly performed, instead of simply broadly occurring.

a well-established practice

Indicates the practice has been in place for a significant time and is widely accepted.

a standard practice

Conveys the practice is a typical or default way of doing something.

an accepted practice

Focuses on the approval or agreement surrounding the practice, rather than its prevalence.

a typical practice

Highlights the ordinariness and usualness of the practice.

a general practice

Suggests the practice is broadly applied or applicable.

a customary practice

Emphasizes the practice is traditional and follows established customs.

FAQs

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

You can use "a widespread practice" to describe something commonly done or accepted. For example: "Using email for business communication is "a widespread practice"."

What are some alternatives to "a widespread practice"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a common practice", "a prevalent practice", or "a routine practice", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a widespread practice" or "a common practice"?

Both "a widespread practice" and "a common practice" are correct and often interchangeable. "Widespread" emphasizes the breadth of the practice, while "common" highlights its frequency.

In what contexts is "a widespread practice" most appropriate?

"A widespread practice" is suitable in various contexts, from describing business strategies to cultural norms. It's particularly useful when you want to emphasize that something is not just common but broadly adopted across a specific group or area. For example, "The use of renewable energy is "a widespread practice" in many European countries."