by convention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by convention" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that something is done or accepted as a social norm, or that a certain rule is generally accepted. For example: "By convention, most people shake hands when meeting for the first time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By convention 0! = 1.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By convention, Annan spoke first.

The New Yorker

As indeed, by convention, they all do.

The Guardian - Opinion

(By convention the Bank's president has always been an American).

The Economist

By convention, sports in America is treated as news.

The New Yorker

By convention, incandescent bulbs are assigned a CRI of 100.

The Economist

Perhaps judges should have to do this by convention.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sensations such as sweet and bitter existed only by convention.

The Guardian - Books

By convention, art denotes freedom, surveillance its opposite -- social control.

The New York Times - Arts

Some illusions are allowed by convention, like removing foreground objects.

The New York Times

By convention, only the smallest digit is fuzzy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by convention" to clearly indicate that a practice or standard is based on common agreement rather than a formal rule. This helps readers understand the underlying reason for the action or approach.

Common error

Avoid using "by convention" when referring to legally binding rules or regulations. "By convention" implies an unwritten, agreed-upon practice, not a codified law.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by convention" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause by indicating the manner in which an action is performed or a fact is understood, specifically based on custom or agreed-upon practice, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by convention" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that something is done or understood based on custom, agreement, or accepted practice. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in a wide range of contexts. It's particularly common in scientific, news, and encyclopedic sources. When using "by convention", ensure you're referring to practices based on unwritten norms, not formal laws, and consider alternatives like "customarily" or "traditionally" for subtle variations in meaning. By using "by convention" correctly, you enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

according to custom

Specifies that the action or behavior is in line with established customs.

customarily

This term directly substitutes "by convention" emphasizing adherence to established customs.

as is customary

Similar to "customarily" but includes a slightly more descriptive tone.

traditionally

Implies that the practice is followed because it is part of a long-standing tradition.

by common practice

Focuses on the widespread practice rather than a formal rule.

as a rule

Indicates something that generally happens or is true.

typically

Describes something that usually happens in a specific way.

ordinarily

Indicates that something is done in the usual or normal way.

generally accepted

Highlights the widespread agreement or acceptance of a practice.

as per usual

Informal way of saying that something is happening in the expected way.

FAQs

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

You can use "by convention" to indicate that something is done or understood as a result of custom or common agreement. For instance, "By convention, scientific papers are structured with an introduction, methods, results, and discussion section."

What are some alternatives to saying "by convention"?

You can use alternatives like "customarily", "traditionally", or "as a rule" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "by convention" in formal writing?

Yes, "by convention" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. It's a clear and concise way to explain that a practice is based on accepted norms rather than formal rules, as Ludwig AI confirms.

What is the difference between "by convention" and "by law"?

"By convention" refers to practices that are accepted due to custom or agreement, while "by law" refers to practices that are mandated by legal statutes. They are followed for fundamentally different reasons.