as a general practice

USAGE SUMMARY

"as a general practice" is a correct and commonly used phrase in both spoken and written English.
It is usually used to refer to a widespread or commonly accepted manner of conducting oneself or following a procedure. For example, "As a general practice, referees must review all disputed plays before making a call."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Therefore, the clear efficacy of BIS monitoring in the general surgical population would need to be established before recommending it as a general practice, especially given the results of the B-Unaware trial.

BMC Anesthesiology

EXTRA POINTS In response to a report about the Giants' interest in re-signing receiver Plaxico Burress, General Manager Jerry Reese said the organization keeps all options open as a general practice.

The New York Times - Sports

He had also worked part time as a general practice lawyer.

The New York Times

Here's how: As a general practice, wall-to-wall live television reporting is perilous.

The New York Times

(In a statement, Amazon said, "As a general practice, we don't discuss our business negotiations with publishers").

The New Yorker

If so, how should it be done? A. Stake only when necessary, not as a general practice.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

This strategy was discussed as both a general practice that took place throughout the term as well as an initial step in preparing for exams.

International Journal of STEM Education

The ICJ's statute refers to "international custom, as evidence of a general practice accepted as law," as a second source of international law.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The practice nurse as part of a general practice is case manager and plans, organizes and monitors the care process and facilitates cooperation between professionals.

International Journal of Nursing Studies

The two most common questions--did I not drink alcohol, and did I do yoga--pointed back to the only context that made local sense: Tolstoy's vegetarianism as part of a general practice of asceticism.

Huffington Post

Participants were care coordinators comprising ten general practitioners and six registered nurses who delivered care coordination as members of a general practice team.

Human Resources for Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a general practice" to introduce established procedures or widely accepted behaviors within a specific context. For example, "As a general practice, always back up your data before installing new software."

Common error

Avoid using "as a general practice" when referring to personal habits or preferences that aren't widely adopted or recognized. It should describe a customary or established norm, not an individual tendency. Instead of saying, "As a general practice, I drink coffee every morning", try "I usually drink coffee every morning".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a general practice" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause, indicating the manner in which an action is performed or a situation typically occurs. Ludwig confirms this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a general practice" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe established or typical behaviors and procedures. Ludwig AI confirms its wide acceptance. It is frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, with a neutral register suitable for diverse applications. When writing, use it to describe broadly accepted actions, and avoid misapplying it to individual preferences. Related alternatives include "as a general rule" and "typically". By following these guidelines, you can effectively and appropriately incorporate "as a general practice" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a general custom

Emphasizes the customary and widely accepted aspect.

as a common rule

Focuses on the adherence to a typical guideline.

as a standard procedure

Highlights the formalized and routine aspect of the practice.

as a typical custom

Emphasizes the habitual and cultural nature of the practice.

as a usual manner

Focuses on the habitual way of doing things.

as a widespread habit

Indicates the pervasiveness and commonality of the habit.

as a prevailing trend

Highlights the current popular direction or behavior.

as a broad principle

Focuses on an overarching guideline instead of a specific action.

as a frequent occurrence

Shifts the focus to the regularity with which something happens.

typically

A concise adverb indicating something is generally the case.

FAQs

How can I use "as a general practice" in a sentence?

You can use "as a general practice" to describe common or typical actions or procedures. For example, "As a general practice, the company sends out a monthly newsletter."

What are some alternatives to "as a general practice"?

Alternatives include "as a general rule", "typically", or "usually", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "as a general practice"?

Yes, it is correct and commonly used. Ludwig AI also confirms its validity as a phrase. It implies something is widely done or accepted.

What is the difference between "as a general practice" and "as a routine practice"?

"As a general practice" refers to a common or typical way of doing things, while "as a routine practice" implies something is done regularly and systematically. They are similar but not perfectly interchangeable. You could replace it with as a routine practice