based on past practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'based on past practice' is correct and can be used in written English.
Generally, it can be used when referring to patterns that have typically been used in the past, and which might form the basis for a current or future action or decision. For example: "Based on past practice, we expect the outcome of this decision to involve a compromise between the two sides."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Based on past practice, if the detectives are awarded a raise, the other unions will follow.

The New York Times

Based on past practice, the states used in this survey were selected using the orthoplan programme in SPSS.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Texas case only concerns admissions practices at public universities, but based on past practices, the courts will likely apply the resulting ruling at private schools as well.

The New Yorker

A new law said the arbitrators would no longer decide negotiations and grievances based on "past practices," but would consider what was in the best interests of the children.

The New York Times

An emerging belief is that nanoscience and technology cannot be based on past practices in which ethical and social reflection is a second step to using newly developed science; rather, ethical reflections must accompany research every step of the way (National Academy of Engineering 2004).

Environmental Health Perspectives

While there is precedent for the White House argument that incumbent national security advisers and other White House advisers should not be required to testify in public, constitutional scholars say that the position is based only on past practice, not law, and that presidents have repeatedly waived the privilege, especially at times of scandal or other intense political pressure.

The New York Times

Potential unintended effects (feedback) should be anticipated based on past events related to dual practice and dealt with accordingly.

Health Research Policy and Systems

The report entitled "Professional conduct of scientists during volcanic crises14" issued in 1999 by IAVCEI's Subcommittee for Crisis Protocols (Newhall et al. 1999, Newhall et al. 2000 Geist & Garcia 2000) is a rare,15 if not unique, example of an attempt to offer authoritative practice guidance based on past events16 and an extensive literature review.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Few would consider it cheating to study for the New York City Specialized High School Admissions Test using a Barron's Review book (list price $16.99) even though it contains three full-length practice tests based on past exams.

Huffington Post

"A professional community of top global brands dedicated to promoting best practices in corporate blogging" have formed The Blog Council, a "forum for executives to meet one another in a private, vendor-free environment and share tactics, offer advice based on past experience, and develop standards-based best practices as a model for other corporate blogs".

TechCrunch

Adherence to practices is also based on past experience of significant others, most frequently the grandmother or grandmother-in law.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "based on past practice", clearly specify the practice you are referring to. Avoid vague statements that lack context.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a few instances of a "past practice" are sufficient to predict future outcomes. Ensure the "past practice" is consistently applied and relevant to the current situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "based on past practice" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the foundation or justification for an action or decision. It serves to establish a rationale rooted in previously established patterns or behaviors. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "based on past practice" is a prepositional phrase used to justify actions or decisions by referring to established patterns or behaviors. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and suggests that it's most commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the specific practice is clear and relevant to the current situation. Consider alternative phrases like "according to historical precedent" or "drawing from prior experience" to add variety to your writing. While generally neutral in tone, its impact can vary depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

according to historical precedent

Replaces "practice" with "precedent", emphasizing a formal or legalistic basis.

in accordance with past precedent

Similar to "according to historical precedent", but uses "accordance" for emphasis.

drawing from prior experience

Substitutes "based on" with "drawing from" and "past practice" with "prior experience", altering the sentence structure.

following established procedure

Replaces "past practice" with "established procedure", focusing on formalized actions.

informed by previous methods

Replaces "based on" with "informed by" and "past practice" with "previous methods", highlighting the influence of past actions.

relying on previous actions

Focuses on the act of relying on past actions, simplifying the original phrase.

using historical patterns as a guide

Replaces "based on past practice" with a more descriptive phrase about using historical patterns as a guide.

as a matter of historical record

Replaces "based on" with "as a matter of" and "past practice" with "historical record", suggesting an official basis.

following in the footsteps of past actions

A more metaphorical alternative that conveys a sense of continuing established behaviors.

stemming from customary behavior

Replaces "based on" with "stemming from" and "past practice" with "customary behavior", emphasizing habitual actions.

FAQs

How can I use "based on past practice" in a sentence?

You can use "based on past practice" to justify a current decision or action by referencing previous similar situations. For example, "Based on past practice, we anticipate a similar outcome this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "based on past practice"?

You can use alternatives like "according to historical precedent", "drawing from prior experience", or "following established procedure" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "based on past practice"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that a decision or action is not arbitrary but rather grounded in previous successful or common behaviors. However, make sure the "past practice" is still relevant and applicable to the current context.

What's the difference between "based on past practice" and "based on past experience"?

"Based on past practice" typically refers to established procedures or methods, while "based on past experience" refers to individual or collective learnings from prior events. Experience is more personal and subjective, while "practice" implies a more standardized approach.