follow convention

USAGE SUMMARY

"follow convention" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a general phrase used to suggest that one should abide by the accepted standards and practices of a particular activity. For example, "When writing a business letter, it's important to follow convention and use a formal, polite tone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"They didn't want to follow convention, they were just contrary for the sake of being contrary".

The Guardian - Arts

It's more that the school teaches them that it's OK to have a go, it's OK not to follow convention.

The Guardian

Many of the Apostles were homosexuals, although Hardy explains that most would follow convention and "marry in the end".

The New York Times - Books

Fitzpatrick's refusal to follow convention was illustrated in 2013, when he left the US college system after just one term.

The Guardian - Sport

His lyrics don't follow convention and parts often don't repeat, and this mimics the structure of dreams.

The New Yorker

This woman has been held up as a villain of our times when all she did was follow convention.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Following convention housing tenure was coded using the following categories; owned outright, owned with mortgage, privately rented and socially rented [ 21].

BMC Public Health

Williams, though, has never followed convention.

The New York Times

Penelope has followed convention and remarried.

The New York Times - Books

Following convention, reliability has been defined as the inverse of variability.

Journal of Transport Geography

Following convention, Berger was named the discoverer because he led the dig.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "follow convention", consider the specific context and whether adhering to established norms is truly the best course of action. Innovation often requires challenging conventions.

Common error

Avoid blindly "follow convention" without critically evaluating its relevance or effectiveness in a given situation. Thoughtless adherence can stifle creativity and progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "follow convention" typically functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of adhering to established norms or practices. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "follow convention" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that signifies adhering to established norms and practices. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is generally well-regarded and applicable across various contexts, including news, science and business settings. While it is important to "follow convention" for stability and understanding, remember that innovation sometimes requires challenging established norms. Consider the alternatives like "adhere to norms", "observe customs", or "stick to the rules" for nuanced expression. The phrase's consistent presence in authoritative sources reinforces its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adhere to norms

Focuses on sticking to established standards, emphasizing compliance.

observe customs

Highlights the act of respecting and practicing traditional behaviors.

respect traditions

Emphasizes valuing and upholding established cultural practices.

stick to the rules

Directly points to compliance with a specific set of regulations.

uphold standards

Implies maintaining a certain level of quality or ethical behavior.

maintain conformity

Highlights aligning with prevailing behaviors or beliefs.

act conventionally

Describes behaving in a manner that aligns with common expectations.

go by the book

Suggests following procedures or instructions very closely.

toe the line

Implies compliance, especially in a hierarchical or authoritative setting.

keep within accepted bounds

Emphasizes staying inside the limits of what is generally considered acceptable.

FAQs

How can I use "follow convention" in a sentence?

You can use "follow convention" to describe adhering to established norms or practices, such as: "In academic writing, it is important to "follow convention" and cite sources properly."

What does it mean to "follow convention"?

To "follow convention" means to adhere to the generally accepted standards, practices, or norms within a particular context or field.

What are some alternatives to "follow convention"?

You can use alternatives like "adhere to norms", "observe customs", or "stick to the rules" depending on the context.

Is it always a good idea to "follow convention"?

While "follow convention" can provide stability and predictability, it's not always ideal. Sometimes, innovation requires breaking from established norms.