contrary to the practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to the practice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is in opposition to established norms or customs. Example: "The new policy was implemented contrary to the practice that had been followed for decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

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

This view -- articulated in the midst of litigation, in the heat of a political controversy, and contrary to the practice in this state for more than 150 years -- is not entitled to any deference.

The New York Times

Contrary to the practice of broken windows, Maple argued that rules have to be designed to catch the "sharks" not the "dolphins," pointing out how costly and inefficient it is to simply arrest all minor violations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Trump broke with precedent when, first as a presidential candidate and then after he was elected, he refused to release his tax returns, contrary to the practice of every president since Richard M. Nixon.

The Washington Post

Decisions to recuse, or step away from deliberations, by tradition have been left up to the individual justices at the center of any complaint, contrary to the practice on most state supreme courts.

The Washington Post

The companies use video links to screen patients at central locations where (contrary to the practice at centers where trials are run) reviewers have no incentives for enrolling subjects.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

An important weakness of the Securities and Exchange Commission has been its over-reliance on inexperienced lawyers, often straight out of school, to conduct investigations and other core tasks — a notion contrary to the practices of more highly regarded investigative agencies like the F.B.I., which draws on a range of professions and experience levels to fill its ranks of special agents.

The New York Times

Juan E. Mendez, special rapporteur on torture for the U.N., concluded that treatment of prisoners in solitary at Pelican Bay amounted "to torture or cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment" and was "contrary to the practices of civilized nations".

Los Angeles Times

This is contrary to the practices in many other countries, where ethical evaluation is required also for register-based research, to consider the need for informed consent, ensure adequate data safety and weigh the potential risks for the subjects against the benefits.

BMC Medical Ethics

"We acknowledge that this conclusion is contrary to the longstanding practice of the Patent and Trademark Office, as well as the practice of the National Institutes of Health and other government agencies that have in the past sought and obtained patents for isolated genomic DNA," the brief said.

The New York Times

He had earlier been rebuked by Khamenei after unilaterally sacking intelligence minister Heydar Moslehi – contrary to the established practice of consulting the supreme leader on intelligence matters.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using this phrase to introduce an innovative approach or a deliberate deviation from established norms, highlighting the rationale behind the departure.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to the practice" without specifying the practice being referenced. A vague reference can confuse the reader and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to the practice" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a clause or sentence. It introduces a contrasting element, indicating that something is happening in opposition to or differently from the established or usual way of doing things. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

31%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrary to the practice" is a prepositional phrase used to highlight a deviation or opposition to an established norm or custom. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Its register ranges from neutral to formal, making it suitable for academic, news, and professional contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to clearly define the practice being referenced to avoid ambiguity. While common, several alternative phrases, such as "in opposition to the custom" or "deviating from the norm", can provide nuanced variations in meaning. The phrase appears frequently in "News & Media" and "Science", suggesting its use in reporting deviations and presenting contrasting findings. Remember to specify a common practice to create an effective contrast.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in opposition to the custom

Emphasizes direct opposition to an established custom or tradition.

against established procedure

Highlights a deviation from a set of rules or procedures.

deviating from the norm

Focuses on the act of diverging from what is considered normal or standard.

at variance with the convention

Indicates a conflict or disagreement with an accepted convention or standard.

in defiance of tradition

Stresses a rebellious or resistant attitude towards tradition.

bucking the trend

Suggests resisting a current trend or popular practice.

in contradiction of the usual

Highlights a direct contradiction or inconsistency with what is usual or typical.

differing from the standard

Emphasizes the difference between something and the expected standard.

not in accordance with precedent

Highlights a departure from established precedents or previous examples.

in contrast to common usage

Emphasizes the difference compared to a common or typical way of doing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "contrary to the practice" to introduce a deviation from a standard or customary way of doing something. For example: "Contrary to the practice, the new policy requires mandatory training for all employees."

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

Alternatives include "in opposition to the custom", "against established procedure", or "deviating from the norm", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "contrary to the practice" or "different from the practice"?

"Contrary to the practice" generally carries a more formal tone than "different from the practice", suggesting a more significant or deliberate deviation from established norms.

Can "contrary to the practice" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

While generally suitable for formal writing, "contrary to the practice" can also be used in informal contexts where you want to emphasize a deviation from what is commonly done, but alternatives may be more common.