contrary to usual practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to usual practice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is different from what is typically done or expected in a given context. Example: "Contrary to usual practice, the committee decided to hold the meeting on a Saturday."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Contrary to usual practice, the complete data had not yet been revealed to scientists or published in a medical journal, though the institute said it intended to do so.

The New York Times - Health

But what happened over the past six months is that the whole bonus thing blew up, the public got engaged, and, contrary to usual practice, the bill got stronger the long the debate lasted.

The New Yorker

A funding proposal for the new beamlines has been put together since the sacking of Lamb but contrary to usual practice, it has not been reviewed by SAC members.

Science Magazine

It would have been impractical, and contrary to usual practice, to HotSync® forms individually.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Secondly, no fit indices were reported in Tan et al. paper which was contrary to usual practice [ 9].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

So Dr. Scholes arranged to lend them millions of dollars at an interest rate of 7percentt, which, contrary to usual banking practice, was lower that the rate he could have gotten from most clients.

The New York Times

Contrary to usual expectation from a gene highly expressed in an endocrine gland, DACH1 suppresses secretion of aldosterone.

Hypertension

When Msgr. George G. Higgins, speaking at Sunday's graduation ceremony at the University of Notre Dame, declared that contrary to his usual practice, he wanted to make a few extempore remarks, not a few people on the platform stiffened.

The New York Times

Usual care sites provided prenatal nutrition care according to usual practice.

Journal of the American Dietetic Association

A significant efficiency gain is obtained with respect to usual practice designs.

Computers & Chemical Engineering

In the routine practice arm of the cluster trial, practices will continue with their usual care and new cases of COPD will be identified according to usual practice.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrary to usual practice" to introduce a surprising or unexpected element. This can add emphasis and intrigue to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to usual practice" when the 'usual practice' is not well-known or established within your intended audience. This can lead to confusion and weaken your argument or point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to usual practice" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a statement which deviates from what is typically done or expected. It often sets up a contrast or highlights an exception, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrary to usual practice" is a prepositional phrase used to highlight deviations from established norms or procedures. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in both scientific and news contexts. It's important to ensure the 'usual practice' is clear to your audience. Alternatives like "in contrast to standard procedure" or "deviating from the norm" can be used for variety, but it’s important to check that the replacement preserves the original intended meaning. Remember to use this phrase to create emphasis and intrigue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in contrast to standard procedure

Highlights the difference from the usual or accepted procedure.

differing from established protocol

Emphasizes a deviation from a formally established protocol.

deviating from the norm

Changes the phrasing to emphasize the deviation from what is typical.

an exception to the rule

Presents the situation as a departure from an established rule.

unorthodox method

Emphasizes that the method used is not conventional.

breaking with tradition

Indicates a deliberate departure from established customs or traditions.

atypical behavior

Focuses on the behavior as being not typical.

against the grain

Suggests that something is done in opposition to the natural inclination or usual way.

out of character

Implies a deviation from typical or expected behavior for a person or thing.

unconventionally

Uses an adverb to simply state something is done not in a conventional way.

FAQs

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

You can use "contrary to usual practice" to highlight a deviation from a standard or expected procedure. For example: "Contrary to usual practice, the meeting was held on a weekend."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "in contrast to standard procedure", "deviating from the norm", or "atypical behavior", depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to specify the "usual practice" when using "contrary to usual practice"?

While not always explicitly necessary, providing context or a clear understanding of what the "usual practice" is will enhance clarity and prevent misinterpretation.

What is the difference between "contrary to usual practice" and "against common practice"?

The phrases are very similar, but "contrary to usual practice" may imply a more established or formal procedure being deviated from, whereas "against common practice" could refer to a more general or informal norm.