conventions

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "conventions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a set of accepted standards, rules, or practices that you would adhere to in a particular setting. For example, "The convention center holds events all year round to uphold certain conventions within the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He has also contributed to the development of important international conventions on children's rights".

The Guardian

In this month's podcast, we'll look at forced labour and the role of international conventions in offering protection; the realities of working on the frontline against slavery; some of the trends in the anti-slavery movement; and the Centre of Social Justice report into the failures of the UK government to address human trafficking.

The Guardian

Michael Irwin's The Skull and the Nightingale (HarperCollins) is a bold and witty appropriation of the conventions, style, and idiom of the 18th-century epistolary novel that brilliantly recreates the manners, modes of thought and conduct of the teeming world of London.

The Guardian - Books

There are now more legal drugs on sale than were even dreamed of when the first global drug laws were written: the 1961 and 1971 UN drug conventions proscribe just 234.

The Guardian

But I think the conventions of film-making always bored him as much as they inspired him.

The Guardian - Film

Morgan said: "Our armed forces should certainly not be above the law.That is why the Geneva conventions should apply when they are on active operations.Human rights law simply has no place on the battlefield".

The Guardian

His avoidance of showers or baths supposedly dated back to his youth, and is variously explained by a disdain for bourgeoise conventions or, more charitably, a fear of asthma attacks brought on by cold water.

The Guardian

It also neatly tied together all of the conventions of quest-based multiplayer role-playing games: players took on a specific class of character – fighter, wizard, thief, etc – then "leveled up" by killing enemies with a range of weapons and spells, before collecting experience points and loot.

The Guardian - Tech

There we were preparing to thumb through the Cabinet Manual on the "laws, conventions and rules on the operation of government" when the exit poll came through.

The Guardian - Opinion

Japan has killed more than 10,000 whales under the programme since 1988, according to Canberra, allegedly putting it in breach of international conventions and its obligation to preserve marine mammals and their environment.

The Guardian

KimeCurran gives a good impression of what some of those truths may be: It's the book I hand to friends when I know they're struggling with a decision, because to me it's a sort of handbook to finding your way in life – and not always the way that the "stifling conventions of provincial life" dictate.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In creative writing, consider using "conventions" to highlight the boundaries or expectations within a specific genre or style.

Common error

Avoid using "conventions" when you mean "conferences". "Conventions" refers to established practices or agreements, while "conferences" are meetings or gatherings.

Linguistic Context

The word "conventions" primarily functions as a noun, often in its plural form, referring to established norms, practices, or agreements. As stated by Ludwig AI, the word is correct and usable in written English. The examples show it describing international agreements, theatrical traditions, and social norms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conventions" is a versatile noun that refers to established norms, practices, or agreements across various fields. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its usage is very common, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. When using "conventions", ensure you differentiate it from similar-sounding words like "conferences", and be mindful of the level of formality implied by the context. Remember to look into "established norms" or "accepted practices" as alternative phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

established norms

Focuses on the aspect of widely accepted standards of behavior or procedure.

accepted practices

Emphasizes the aspect of customary or habitual ways of doing things.

prevailing customs

Highlights traditional and widely observed social behaviors.

standard protocols

Emphasizes formal procedures and rules.

customary procedures

Highlights the adherence to established ways of operating.

traditional practices

Stresses the historical and cultural aspect of the norms.

agreed-upon standards

Focuses on the aspect of collective agreement and uniformity.

established rules

Emphasizes explicitly defined regulations.

common practices

Highlights widespread and typical behaviors.

usual procedures

Focuses on typical or expected ways of doing things.

FAQs

How to use "conventions" in a sentence?

You can use "conventions" to refer to established norms, practices, or agreements. For example: "The literary club decided to adhere to certain narrative conventions.".

What can I say instead of "conventions"?

You can use alternatives like "established norms", "accepted practices", or "prevailing customs" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "conventions" or "customs"?

Both "conventions" and "customs" refer to established practices, but "conventions" often implies a more formal agreement or standard, while "customs" refers to traditional behaviors. They are often interchangeable, though, as it can be seen "prevailing customs".

What's the difference between "conventions" and "conferences"?

"Conventions" refer to established practices or agreements, while "conferences" are meetings or gatherings. Ensure you use the correct term based on the context. The usage error is more common than it looks.