conventional goods

USAGE SUMMARY

"conventional goods" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to a wide variety of everyday items that are widely traded or exchanged. For example, "Many retailers offer lower prices on conventional goods such as clothing, groceries, and household items."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

A goal of these units is comparability with the definition of conventional goods and services found in GDP and the other national accounts.

Ecological Economics

In an initial experiment, 59 student volunteers were asked to assign attributes like cooperative, altruistic, and ethical to two different groups of consumers: those who purchase environmentally friendly products and those who buy more conventional goods.

The New York Times

In one subsequent exercise, 156 volunteers were placed in front of computers where they were exposed at random either to an online shop offering mostly eco-friendly products or to one offering mostly conventional goods.

The New York Times

This guide, in its third edition, is packed with surprisingly terrific home furnishings and other products that stand out not only because they are less damaging to the planet than conventional goods, but because of their first-rate designs.

The New York Times

Incidentally, it was only on holiday that I thought of a line that should have gone into my last column on this issue -For conventional goods, demand sets the price.

The Economist

Within the framework of a project called "low noise train", the Deutsche Bahn AG DB AGG) is currently expending a good deal of effort in initiating the development of a goods train that radiates significantly lower levels of wayside noise than do conventional goods trains.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

I am sad to say that in this respect he is a conventional good man of the period.

The Guardian - Books

They're a little dangerous, and there's a sense of teetering on the precipice between avoiding dreary conventional good taste and tumbling into something far more outrageous".

The New Yorker

A man of conventional good looks, suited to the old Arrow shirt ads, butch modern haircut, quirky smile, a way with women.

The New York Times

Yet Microsoft's dominant product — the Windows personal computer operating system — was something consumers and companies paid for, as with any conventional good.

The New York Times - Tech

As a consequence, new variations of the conventional "good old drugs" are being tested and nitro-steroids and long circulating liposomal glucocorticoids indeed show promising results.

Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting "conventional goods" with alternatives like "eco-friendly products", clearly specify the distinguishing characteristics of each category to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "conventional goods" as a catch-all term without considering the specific types of goods being discussed. Be precise about whether you're referring to consumer goods, industrial goods, or a more specific category.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conventional goods" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a direct object, subject, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig confirms that it represents widely traded or exchanged everyday items, differentiating them from niche or specialized products.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conventional goods" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that denotes standard, widely available products. As Ludwig confirms, it serves to categorize items based on production methods and availability, often in contrast to alternatives like organic or eco-friendly options. This phrase exhibits a neutral tone suitable for diverse contexts, including news, science, and general discourse. While not exceedingly frequent, its usage remains consistent and pertinent, offering a straightforward means of referring to everyday merchandise. When writing, avoid overgeneralization, and ensure clarity by specifying the exact types of "conventional goods" you're referring to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

standard commodities

Replaces "goods" with "commodities", emphasizing their nature as items of trade or commerce.

typical merchandise

Substitutes "conventional" with "typical" and "goods" with "merchandise", highlighting their common and representative nature.

common products

Uses "common" instead of "conventional" and "products" instead of "goods", focusing on their widespread availability and use.

ordinary wares

Replaces "conventional" with "ordinary" and "goods" with "wares", suggesting their commonplace and unexceptional character.

everyday items

Emphasizes the routine use and accessibility of the goods.

traditional goods

Uses "traditional" to refer to goods that have been in use for a long time and are part of established customs.

established products

Highlights the long-standing presence and acceptance of these goods in the market.

regular commodities

Similar to "standard commodities", but uses "regular" to indicate their consistent availability and characteristics.

mainstream merchandise

Focuses on the widespread popularity and acceptance of the goods within the general market.

widely available items

Emphasizes the easy accessibility and broad distribution of the goods.

FAQs

How can I use "conventional goods" in a sentence?

You can use "conventional goods" to refer to standard, widely available products, such as "Consumers often choose "conventional goods" because they are more affordable than organic alternatives".

What's a good alternative to "conventional goods"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "standard commodities", "typical merchandise", or "common products" to convey a similar meaning.

What is the difference between "conventional goods" and "organic goods"?

"Conventional goods" typically refer to products made using standard industrial practices, while "organic goods" are produced using methods that avoid synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.

Is it always better to choose "eco-friendly products" over "conventional goods"?

While "eco-friendly products" often have environmental benefits, the best choice depends on factors like budget, availability, and personal values. Sometimes, the environmental impact of producing and transporting eco-friendly alternatives can offset their advantages.