contrary to practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to practice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is in opposition to established norms or customary behavior. Example: "The new policy was implemented contrary to practice, leading to confusion among the staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Also contrary to practice, the times of some events, like fueling and astronauts' movements, will not be announced in advance, NASA officials said.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is contrary to good practice and good sense.

The Guardian - Opinion

So Kent transfers them temporarily to other areas, contrary to best practice and statutory guidance.

The Guardian

Contrary to normal practice, I was at home all last week while my wife was off doing science.

The Guardian

"Regrettably, and contrary to best practice, the panel for the generic non-executive roles was all male," the commissioner noted.

The Guardian

Contrary to existing practice, in which parties had been afforded prior notice and an opportunity to prepare presentations for any significant decision, this unexpected development came without notice.

The New York Times

It also criticised the absence of non-financial parameters to assess executives' long-term performance in their share schemes as contrary to best practice.

The Guardian - Business

First, the committee complained that the government was not publishing responses to its own green paper as they were received, contrary to normal practice.

The Guardian

Unlike his waffling on policy positions and factual matters, he has consistently refused to release his returns, contrary to the practice of every president since Jimmy Carter.

The Washington Post

Contrary to global practice, India added a unique and ambiguous standard to patentability, the so-called "enhanced efficacy," which may contravene international agreements.

The New York Times

Contrary to standard practice, the IPCC measured the initial gaps using market-based exchange rates rather than rates adjusted for differences in purchasing power.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrary to practice" to highlight deviations from established procedures or norms, especially when emphasizing the unexpected or unconventional nature of an action.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to practice" when referring to personal preferences or isolated incidents. "Practice" implies a recognized and established method or norm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to practice" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an action or situation deviates from the established or customary way of doing things. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contrary to practice" is a grammatically sound and useful way to indicate a deviation from established norms or procedures. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to highlight exceptions or unexpected actions. While its register is generally neutral, it sees common usage in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating the usual practice being contrasted. Remember that "practice" implies a recognized and established method, not just personal preference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at odds with custom

Replaces "practice" with "custom", emphasizing a deviation from established societal habits.

against the grain of convention

Emphasizes a resistance or opposition to typical societal norms.

in defiance of protocol

Focuses on the violation of established rules or procedures.

deviating from the norm

Highlights the act of straying from what is considered standard or typical.

in opposition to accepted behavior

Directly states a conflict with commonly held standards of conduct.

transgressing established procedure

Highlights the violation of a known rule or way of doing things.

in contradiction of usual methods

Focuses on the use of approaches that clash with typical methodologies.

bucking the trend

Implies a resistance to popular or current patterns of behavior.

running counter to prevailing wisdom

Emphasizes a conflict with generally accepted beliefs or understandings.

at variance with tradition

Highlights a disagreement or inconsistency with established cultural practices.

FAQs

How can I use "contrary to practice" in a sentence?

You can use "contrary to practice" to describe actions or decisions that deviate from established norms or customary behavior. For example, "Contrary to practice, the company decided to offer unlimited vacation days."

What are some alternatives to saying "contrary to practice"?

Alternatives include "at odds with custom", "deviating from the norm", or "in defiance of protocol", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "contrary to practices" instead of "contrary to practice"?

While "practices" can be used to refer to multiple customs or norms, "contrary to practice" is also correct when referring to a general or established way of doing things. The choice depends on whether you're highlighting a single deviation or a broader set of differing actions.

What's the difference between "contrary to practice" and "contrary to tradition"?

"Contrary to practice" generally refers to established methods or procedures, while "contrary to tradition" implies a deviation from long-held customs or beliefs. The former is more about established processes, the latter about cultural norms.