as a routine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a routine" is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
Generally speaking, it is used to refer to something that is done regularly or on a regular basis. For example, "I take the same route home from work as a routine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The launch began as a routine affair.

The Guardian

They will do it as a routine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Police Are Using Phone Tracking as a Routine Tool.

University of California, Berkeley

Coleman described the meeting as a routine planning session.

The Washington Post

Other times, it was presented as a routine checkup.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — It started as a routine conference call.

The New York Times

That's why we recommended against it as a routine practice".

The New York Times - Science

Executives describe the presentation as a routine update for workers.

The New York Times

Perhaps that could be dismissed as a routine political stretcher.

The New Yorker

As a routine part of this study, patients are asked whether they are using PPIs.

Stanford University

Had Christian nations stopped using piracy as a routine tactic of war by then?

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a routine", ensure the context clearly establishes the regular or habitual nature of the action being described. For instance, "We perform quality checks as a routine part of our manufacturing process" is more effective than simply stating, "We do quality checks."

Common error

Avoid using "as a routine" when the action's regularity is already implied or obvious. For example, instead of saying "Doctors check vital signs as a routine for every patient", consider "Doctors routinely check vital signs" or "Doctors check vital signs for every patient".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a routine" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate that an action is performed regularly or habitually. Ludwig confirms its role in describing actions done as a standard procedure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a routine" is a common adverbial phrase used to indicate that something is done regularly or habitually, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions to convey that an action is a standard part of a process or practice. While grammatically correct and widely used, it's important to ensure the context warrants its use to avoid redundancy. Alternatives such as "on a regular basis" or "as a matter of course" can provide variety and nuance. The phrase is most frequently found in news media and scientific publications, suggesting a neutral to professional register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on a regular basis

Emphasizes the regularity of the action, focusing on the frequency of occurrence.

as a matter of course

Highlights the expected and standard nature of the action, suggesting it's a normal procedure.

by way of routine

A more formal variation, indicating something done according to established procedures.

as is customary

Focuses on the traditional or conventional aspect of the action, implying it's a common practice.

as a standard practice

Highlights that the action is a recognized and accepted way of doing things.

in a habitual manner

Emphasizes the ingrained nature of the behavior, suggesting it's a repeated habit.

according to habit

Focuses on something being done out of habit and reflexively.

in accordance with procedure

Indicates adherence to a set of guidelines or protocols.

by common practice

Underlines the action's widespread acceptance and use within a specific field or group.

as per usual

Implies that something happens in the normal or expected way.

FAQs

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

Use "as a routine" to indicate that something is done regularly or habitually, for example, "The company conducts safety inspections "as a routine" to ensure compliance".

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

You can use alternatives like "on a regular basis", "as a matter of course", or "as a standard practice" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between using "as a routine" and "routinely"?

"As a routine" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, while "routinely" is an adverb. For example, "We perform backups "as a routine"" versus "We "routinely" perform backups". The meaning is similar, but the sentence structure differs.

When is it best to use "as a routine" in formal writing?

Using "as a routine" is appropriate in formal writing when you want to emphasize that an action is part of a standard or established procedure. For example, "The data is analyzed "as a routine" part of the research protocol" is suitable for a scientific paper.