conventional

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "conventional" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an accepted or ordinary way of behaving or thinking, especially one that is traditional or widely accepted. For example: "This election year is turning out to be anything but conventional."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now, for the first time, Jobbik has made real inroads into the prosperous trans-Danubian regions, when the conventional wisdom held that the party would remain confined to eastern Hungary, the poorest part of the country.

The Guardian - Opinion

As director of the charity New Harvest, Datar works to connect and rally those exploring all manner of alternatives to conventional, mass-produced animal products.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Authentic Devonian is nothing like the conventional Mummerset drone favoured by stand-up comics and the Wurzels.

The Guardian

It wasn't much of a commercial hit, but I was amazed at the amount of heartfelt responses from young readers, whose taste for tragedy, it turned out, was at least equal to their need for the more conventional, optimistic "heartening" narratives.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The film is relatively conventional given the pedigree of the Oscar-nominated director, the man behind Hollywood blockbusters The Bourne Ultimatum, Captain Phillips and United 93.

The Guardian

Until the last few weeks the conventional wisdom in Washington, London and Arab capitals was that Isis had been forced on to the back foot, suffering from shortages of cash, weapons and problems of resupply, even if its morale was sustained by a slick propaganda machine that kept attracting recruits.

The Guardian

Justin Stebbing, professor of cancer medicine at Imperial College, London, says that many people turn to herbal medicine and complementary therapies when they feel shortchanged by conventional medicine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Electronic warfare, cyber attacks, small groups of commandos and special forces will take the place of traditional army units, just as pilotless drones will take the place of conventional aircraft.

The Guardian

And indeed, that happened in both 2010 and again this year: the "wisdom" index outperformed the conventional final polls on both occasions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Al-Shabaab avoids most direct confrontations with conventional armies.

The Guardian

It has become conventional wisdom: populist parties are on the rise across Europe, from left (Jean-Luc Mélenchon) to right (Marine Le Pen), and in widely different national and local contexts – from Bradford to Budapest.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "conventional", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a widely accepted practice or a lack of originality. This ensures your intended meaning is accurately conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using "conventional" as a catch-all term. Replace it with words that more accurately reflect the specific type of conformity or adherence you intend to describe, such as "traditional", "standard", or "established".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "conventional" primarily functions to describe something that adheres to accepted norms, practices, or standards. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, indicating its adherence to standard English grammar. It is often used to contrast with something novel, innovative, or unorthodox, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "conventional" is a versatile adjective used to describe adherence to established norms and practices. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Its communicative purpose is to indicate alignment with accepted standards, though it can also imply a lack of originality. The term appears frequently in news, business, and scientific sources, suggesting a neutral to formal register. To avoid overuse, consider alternatives like "traditional", "standard", or "established" depending on the specific context. By understanding its nuances and common usage patterns, writers can effectively use "conventional" to convey their intended meaning with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

traditional

Emphasizes adherence to long-standing customs and practices, differing from "conventional" in its focus on heritage.

established

Highlights the acceptance and recognition of a practice or method, whereas "conventional" simply implies common use.

standard

Implies conformity to a recognized norm or benchmark, unlike "conventional" which focuses on widespread acceptance.

customary

Focuses on practices that are usual or expected, similar to "conventional" but emphasizes habit and routine.

typical

Describes something that is representative of a particular type or group, while "conventional" refers to general acceptance.

orthodox

Emphasizes strict adherence to established doctrines or beliefs, adding a layer of rigidity not present in "conventional".

prevailing

Indicates the most common or widespread practice at a given time, differing from "conventional" in its temporal focus.

accepted

Highlights the endorsement or approval of a practice, whereas "conventional" simply implies common usage.

commonplace

Suggests something is ordinary and unremarkable, similar to a meaning of "conventional" but can carry a more negative connotation.

mainstream

Refers to ideas or practices that are widely accepted and followed by the majority, similar to "conventional" but with a stronger emphasis on popularity.

FAQs

How can I use "conventional" in a sentence?

You can use "conventional" to describe something that is based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed. For instance, "The design of the building was quite conventional".

What are some alternatives to the word "conventional"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "traditional", "established", or "standard".

Is it correct to say "unconventional" instead of "not conventional"?

Yes, "unconventional" is a direct antonym of "conventional" and is often more concise and stylistically preferable to "not conventional".

What's the difference between "conventional" and "typical"?

"Conventional" refers to something that follows accepted practices or norms, while "typical" refers to something that is representative of a particular type or group. While they can overlap, "conventional" focuses on adherence to norms, whereas "typical" focuses on representativeness.