existing practice

USAGE SUMMARY

"existing practice" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a practice or set of behaviors that already exists or is in place. For example, "The existing practice of requiring employees to take a lunch break should remain in place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is the existing practice.

The New York Times

Dionysius' engineers surely drew on existing practice.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dionysius's engineers surely drew on existing practice.

Britannica

The law exactly preserves existing practice in Connecticut.

The New York Times

Again, this is largely a codification of existing practice.

The Economist

Some claim that this provision would merely codify existing practice.

The New York Times

The existing practice requires a 10-step drawing.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

Use will also be made of the existing practice of having defendants appear via videolinks.

The Guardian

A European court of justice ruling had challenged the legality of existing practice.

The Guardian - Opinion

It wasn't immediately clear how Trump's proposal would differ from existing practice.

The Washington Post

I agree with the authors that existing practice leaves significant room for improvement.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "existing practice" to set the stage for proposing improvements or innovations. Highlighting current limitations makes your proposed solution more compelling.

Common error

Avoid vague references to "existing practice" without specifying the context or field. Instead, provide specific details about the procedures, methods, or customs you are referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "existing practice" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it used to describe established procedures, methods, or customs within a particular context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

34%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "existing practice" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that serves to reference established methods, procedures, or customs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in various contexts. It is often employed to provide a baseline for comparison or to identify areas for improvement, and Ludwig examples from news, science, and academic sources highlight its broad applicability. While "existing practice" is generally neutral in tone, it is essential to use it with specificity to provide context and avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

current practices

Refers to the methods or procedures that are presently being used, emphasizing the present time.

established procedure

Implies a formal and recognized way of doing something, highlighting the official nature.

conventional method

Suggests a traditional or widely accepted way of doing something, focusing on its commonality.

standard operating procedure

Indicates a specific set of instructions for a routine task, highlighting the structured and formal nature.

prevailing system

Refers to the current or dominant system in place, emphasizing its widespread adoption.

traditional approach

Emphasizes the historical or long-standing nature of the method, focusing on its origins.

common practice

Highlights the widespread use of a particular method, emphasizing its popularity.

customary procedure

Implies a practice that has become a tradition or norm, focusing on its habitual nature.

accepted norm

Suggests a practice that is generally agreed upon and followed, emphasizing its social acceptance.

routine practice

Emphasizes the repetitive and habitual nature of the practice, focusing on its regularity.

FAQs

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

You can use "existing practice" to describe current methods, procedures, or customs within a specific context. For example, "The new guidelines aim to improve upon the "existing practice" of data collection".

What's the difference between "existing practice" and "current practice"?

"Existing practice" refers to practices that are already in place, while "current practice" emphasizes what is being done right now. They are often interchangeable, but "current practice" highlights the present moment more directly.

What are some alternatives to "existing practice"?

Alternatives include "current practices", "established procedure", or "conventional method". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "existing practice" or "existing practices"?

Both are grammatically correct. "Existing practice" refers to the overall system or approach, while "existing practices" refers to multiple individual methods or procedures. The choice depends on whether you are referring to a singular approach or a collection of methods.