by tradition

USAGE SUMMARY

"by tradition" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe how something is done, or how something has been done for a long time. For example: "At this time of year, by tradition, we always gather with family for a special meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

BY TRADITION, British political leaders dislike referendums.

The Economist

BY TRADITION Brazil invests little and saves less.

The Economist

BY TRADITION, sequels are pale shadows of their forerunners.

The Economist

By tradition, women are excluded and cannot participate in decision-making processes on community matters.

Human Resources for Health

By tradition?

The Guardian - Books

It's been hamstrung by tradition.

Independent

By tradition, most performers are Finnish.

The New York Times - Arts

By tradition the four vacation together.

The New Yorker

"He was Episcopalian by tradition.

The Washington Post

The values were held by tradition.

The New York Times

Brunel is not trammelled by tradition.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by tradition", ensure the tradition you are referring to is well-understood by your audience, or provide context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming a tradition is universally followed. Specify the group or culture where the tradition applies to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

By tradition functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an action or state is determined by custom or long-established practice. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, showing its role in specifying how things are typically done.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by tradition" serves as a grammatically sound and widely used adverbial phrase to indicate actions or states dictated by custom. It enjoys common usage across various domains, particularly news and media, science, and academia, as reflected in Ludwig's examples. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and useful for describing established practices. When employing "by tradition", clarity regarding the specific tradition is crucial to prevent misinterpretations. While generally neutral in tone, it leans towards formality, making it suitable for both thoughtful discussions and everyday explanations of customary behaviors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in keeping with tradition

Highlights maintaining alignment or consistency with established practices.

according to custom

Replaces "tradition" with "custom", emphasizing adherence to a habitual practice.

following established practice

Emphasizes the act of adhering to a method that has been used for a considerable time.

in the time-honored way

Emphasizes that something is done in a way that has been respected for a long period.

as is customary

Focuses on the typical or usual way of doing something, similar to following a tradition.

by long-standing convention

Uses "convention" to suggest an agreed-upon way of behaving, highlighting its duration.

as per usual practice

Highlights that something is done in the normal or expected way.

in accordance with precedent

Draws attention to using a previous occurrence as a justification or guide.

as a matter of course

Indicates that something happens as a natural or logical result of habit.

by force of habit

Highlights the habitual nature of the action, suggesting it's almost automatic.

FAQs

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

You can use "by tradition" to explain that something is done according to a custom or long-established way of doing things. For example, "By tradition, the eldest son inherits the family business."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "by tradition"?

Some alternatives include "according to custom", "as is customary", or "in keeping with tradition".

Is it correct to say "by traditions" instead of "by tradition"?

No, it is generally incorrect to say "by traditions". The phrase "by tradition" refers to a general adherence to customary practices, not to specific, countable traditions.

How formal is the phrase "by tradition"?

The phrase "by tradition" is considered fairly neutral in formality. It can be used in news articles, academic papers, and everyday conversation. However, more formal contexts might prefer phrases like "in accordance with established practice".