conventionality

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "conventionality" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to the quality of being conventional, or adhering to accepted standards. For example, "The conventionality of the office environment was stifling to her creative outlook."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The best that can be said is that this crushing conventionality conceals an enthusiastic sex life, as in the American series Desperate Housewives.

The Guardian - Opinion

Summers, on the other hand, while he often expresses unconventional views when not in office, has a strong tendency to revert to conventionality when in office.

The Economist

Thomas Wentworth Higginson has usually been patronised as a second-rater who bungled the transmission of Dickinson's work by allowing too much editorial tampering, a man whose bourgeois conventionality tried to silence a woman poet's true voice.

The Economist

Like so many of Tolstoy's early works, this story satirizes the artifice and conventionality of human society, a theme that also dominates Tolstoy's novel Kazaki (1863; The Cossacks).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fretting at the conventionality of formal examinations, Durkheim passed the last competitive examination in 1882 but without the brilliance that his friends had predicted for him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He is unequal, too; a wonderfully inventive and poetic writer, he can also, even in his mature novels, write with a painfully slack conventionality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Based in New York's East Village, Jones became known first as a Beat poet whose collection Preface to a Twenty Volume Suicide Note (1961) consisted largely of apolitical critiques of 1950s conventionality and materialism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fear and Conventionality (1914), Social Freedom (1915), and Social Rule (1916) appeared under her own name.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ursula's attraction toward Skrebensky is negated by his social conventionality, and her rejection of him is symbolized by a sexual relationship in which she becomes dominant.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As part of a Westernization movement, the competitive literary examination system, which had been directly responsible for excessive conservatism and conventionality in thought as well as in literature, was abolished in 1905.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For a long time I've had this conversation with myself about relationships, and you're bombarded with conventionality.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conventionality" to describe a strong adherence to traditional norms, especially when contrasting it with innovation or unconventional approaches.

Common error

Avoid using "conventionality" as a blanket term for anything you perceive as boring or outdated. Provide specific examples of what aspects are conventional to give your critique more weight.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "conventionality" is that of a noun. It refers to the state of being conventional or something that is conventional. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

27%

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conventionality" is a grammatically sound noun referring to the state of being conventional or something that adheres to accepted standards. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. As illustrated by Ludwig's examples, the term frequently appears in formal writing across diverse fields such as news, encyclopedias, and science. When using "conventionality", consider providing specific context and avoid broad generalizations to maximize its impact. Related phrases include "conformity to norms" and "adherence to tradition", which offer alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conformity to norms

Focuses on the act of aligning with accepted standards.

established norms

Points to the set of rules and expectations widely accepted within a group or society.

adherence to tradition

Emphasizes the aspect of following established customs and practices.

accepted practice

Indicates a way of doing things that is generally agreed upon as correct or appropriate.

acceptance of standards

Highlights the acknowledgment and embracing of established benchmarks.

social norms

Refers specifically to the rules and expectations governing behavior in social contexts.

customary practice

Refers to a common and established way of doing things.

customary procedure

Highlights a standard and established method for carrying out a task or activity.

traditionalism

Stresses the importance of maintaining long-standing customs and beliefs.

orthodox behavior

Emphasizes adherence to established and accepted behaviors.

FAQs

How is "conventionality" used in academic writing?

"Conventionality" is used in academic writing to describe adherence to established norms, theories, or methodologies within a specific field. It's often contrasted with innovation or novel approaches.

What are some synonyms for "conventionality"?

Alternatives to "conventionality" include "conformity to norms", "adherence to tradition", or "acceptance of standards", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to criticize "conventionality" in writing?

It's appropriate to criticize "conventionality" when it hinders progress, stifles creativity, or perpetuates harmful practices. Provide specific examples and evidence to support your critique.

What is the difference between "conventionality" and "tradition"?

"Tradition" refers to customs or beliefs passed down through generations, while "conventionality" refers to adherence to any established norms, whether old or new. "Adherence to tradition" is one aspect of conventionality.