artificial convention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "artificial convention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a set of rules or practices that are created or imposed rather than arising naturally or organically. Example: "The artificial convention of using specific colors to represent different emotions in art can sometimes limit the artist's expression."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is another artificial convention, but one that makes Joe such an effective and absorbing movie.

The Guardian - Film

While poets with a classical tendency maintained the genre, with its confining rules, the changed circumstances of the Arabs made it an artificial convention.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I love their artificial conventions, their pride in their whizzy graphics, their fake bonhomie.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are made up of unrecognized but artificial conventions that people persistently change and even destroy in ways that no social scientist can really anticipate.

The New York Times

Its success was partly caused by a reaction by composers and audiences against the artificial conventions of the then dominant Italian opera.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What happened for the issuer in the last three months is a noisy indicator of that future, especially when filtered through the artificial conventions of acceptable accounting.

Columbia University

He is freer than the average American because he isn't encumbered with property (he has nothing to lose); or he is more genuine because he lives according to his own lights, rather than artificial conventions.

The Economist

Walther von der Vogelweide, one of the greatest lyric poets of the European Middle Ages, absorbed much of his teacher Reinmar's craftsmanship, but he went far beyond the artificial conventions with which the Minnesang had been governed by introducing an element of practical realism, both in his love poetry and in his Sprüche.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's precisely the actor's own power to incarnate Davis as one artist to another that makes the movie's reliance on artificial dramatic conventions unnecessary, even absurd.

The New Yorker

And with the sound off, you can really see just how artificial the conventions of sitcom acting are: the telegraphed double-takes, the faux-angry declarations of the men, the perkiness of the women, etc., etc. – none of it resembling at all the way real people behave.

The New York Times

His thought does not argue for a natural level of behavior upon which is superimposed an artificial, or cultural, convention.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "artificial convention", consider whether a more specific term might provide greater clarity. For instance, instead of "artificial convention of politeness", you could say "established etiquette" or "formal courtesy".

Common error

Avoid using "artificial convention" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase is more appropriate for academic, analytical, or formal discussions. Simpler terms like "tradition" or "rule" are often better choices in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "artificial convention" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "artificial" modifies the noun "convention". It describes a practice or rule that is not natural or organic, but rather deliberately created or imposed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "artificial convention" refers to a practice or rule that is deliberately created rather than naturally occurring. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Scientific texts, often used to critically analyze social or cultural practices. While grammatically sound and frequently used, consider more specific alternatives like "contrived custom" or "imposed regulation" for greater precision. Avoid using it in informal settings where simpler terms are more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrived custom

Emphasizes the deliberate and somewhat unnatural nature of the established practice.

manufactured tradition

Highlights the idea that the tradition is not organic but rather created or constructed.

imposed regulation

Focuses on the regulatory aspect, suggesting that the convention is enforced rather than naturally adopted.

synthetic norm

Uses "synthetic" to underscore the non-natural origin of the standard.

fabricated protocol

Highlights the constructed and potentially artificial nature of a set of rules or guidelines.

invented practice

Underscores the deliberate creation of a specific way of doing things.

formalized artifice

Implies a structured and stylized artificiality.

conventional pretense

Highlights the element of insincerity or facade associated with the convention.

structured simulation

Suggests that the convention is a deliberate imitation or representation of something else.

established construct

Focuses on the fact that the convention is a product of human creation and agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "artificial convention" in a sentence?

You can use "artificial convention" to describe a practice or rule that is created or imposed, rather than arising naturally. For example: "The success of singspiel was partly caused by a reaction against the "artificial convention" of Italian opera."

What are some alternatives to "artificial convention"?

Some alternatives include "contrived custom", "manufactured tradition", or "imposed regulation". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "artificial convention" a formal or informal phrase?

"Artificial convention" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic or analytical writing. In more casual contexts, simpler terms like "rule" or "tradition" might be more appropriate.

What does "artificial" mean in the context of "artificial convention"?

In this context, "artificial" means created or contrived, rather than arising naturally. It implies that the convention is a product of human design or imposition.