existing behaviour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "existing behaviour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the current actions or habits of an individual or group, often in discussions about psychology, sociology, or behavior analysis. Example: "In order to implement effective change, we must first understand the existing behaviour of the participants in the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"With something like a smartshirt you can just put it on like any other shirt, there's nothing to strap on, nothing to change your existing behaviour".

The Guardian - Tech

In any case, zero-day attacks can only be identified by the deviation they imply in the existing behaviour of the system.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

So far, the results have mostly come from observational studies watching people's existing behaviour, but the researchers are now trying to actively change people's diets in randomised trials, to see how it changes someone's mental health.

BBC

Ideally, such descriptions use definitions consistent with existing behaviour change taxonomies.

Health Psychology Review

Existing behaviour change support for those disadvantaged by income may not be fit for purpose.

BMJ Open

A new framework, the 'behaviour change wheel', was designed [ 7] in order to address the limitations of existing behaviour change frameworks, upon which many lifestyle interventions are based.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

2. Link ideas to existing behaviours If you can tap into existing behaviours, then the innovation is easier to sustain as the necessary practice already takes place; and, if you can tap into mass behaviours, then the innovation is more likely to scale.

The Guardian

The results could inform design of future water-saving campaigns to promote catalytic behaviours, by leveraging off similar, existing behaviours for effective behaviour change results.

Journal of Environmental Psychology

Despite the rigour and ability of game theory to cope with oligopolistic electric markets, it fails to model many existing behaviours in the real-world circumstances.

Knowledge-Based Systems

More than 70% of visitors surveyed own a smartphone (and more than 80% took it with them to the museum) and the majority are already using their phones to enhance their cultural visits, creating an opportunity to leverage these existing behaviours.

The Guardian

New displays, on the other hand, generally arise by ritualization of previously existing behaviours or functions; that is, when a selective advantage accrues to those individuals who, to convey information, use certain behaviours or functions in a manner that is either partly or totally different from their original purpose.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing changes to an established system or protocol, use "existing behaviour" to refer specifically to the current practices you aim to modify.

Common error

Avoid using "existing behaviour" when a more specific term like "habit", "routine", or "practice" would provide greater clarity and precision. "Existing behaviour" is best when encompassing a wide range of current actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "existing behaviour" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "existing" modifies the noun "behaviour". According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "existing behaviour" is a grammatically correct and usable term, mainly functioning as a noun phrase to describe current actions or habits. According to Ludwig, it is most commonly found in science, news, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like ""current behavior"" or ""established habits"" can be used, "existing behaviour" serves well when a broad and encompassing term is needed. Remember to use it when aiming to change a system or protocol and specify practices that need modification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

current behavior

Uses "current" instead of "existing", emphasizing the present state.

established habits

Replaces "behaviour" with "habits", focusing on routine actions.

present conduct

Substitutes "behaviour" with "conduct", suggesting a more formal tone.

ingrained patterns

Emphasizes that the behaviours are deeply rooted and difficult to change.

typical actions

Focuses on the usual or expected behaviours.

prevailing practices

Highlights the widespread or common behaviours within a group or society.

customary behaviour

Replaces "existing" with "customary", indicating behaviours that are traditional or usual.

routine actions

Focuses on the everyday, repeated behaviours.

traditional ways

Implies that the behaviours are passed down through generations.

common practices

Emphasizes the behaviours that are widespread and generally accepted.

FAQs

How can I use "existing behaviour" in a sentence?

You can use "existing behaviour" to describe current habits or actions. For example: "The study aims to understand how social media impacts "existing behaviour" patterns among teenagers".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "existing behaviour"?

Alternatives include "current behavior", "established habits", or "present conduct" depending on the context.

Is "existing behaviour" formal or informal?

"Existing behaviour" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, "present conduct" might be more suitable for highly formal situations.

What's the difference between "existing behaviour" and "existing attitude"?

"Existing behaviour" refers to current actions or habits, while "existing attitude" refers to current beliefs or feelings. They describe different aspects of a person's current state.