follow conventions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'follow conventions' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to following established standards or accepted norms. For example, "We should always follow conventions for proper behavior in the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

Science Magazine

Huffington Post

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

03 Navigation The terms (words or symbols) make sense considering the domain of the application and follow conventions of the real world.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

While other studies have shown that different chimp groups use similar tools in different ways (ScienceNOW, 22 August 2005), this is the first controlled study that shows chimps can follow conventions that don't involve tools, Bonnie says.

Science Magazine

Like I said, they're rules of the road and it would be awfully dangerous to drive down a road where motorists didn't agree to follow conventions.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times - Books

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

The Guardian - Arts

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

The Guardian - Opinion

Though the number of people who follow convention coverage locally is hard to measure, nationally the viewership was down.

The New York Times

We're educated to follow convention.

Forbes

Time, however, isn't on the side of those who follow convention.

Forbes

Here we follow convention by ascribing positive signs to repulsive forces and negative signs to attractive forces.

Geochemical Transactions

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing in a professional context, use "follow conventions" to show you understand the established standards for communication and action in that field.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "follow conventions" means blindly adhering to outdated practices. Instead, use it to signal that you understand and respect current standards while remaining open to innovation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "follow conventions" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action. Ludwig AI confirms that it is used to describe the act of adhering to established norms or standards. The phrase implies conformity and understanding of accepted practices.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "follow conventions" is a grammatically sound and usable expression referring to the act of adhering to established norms or standards. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a way to show understanding and respect for accepted practices. While its frequency is relatively rare based on the provided examples, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts, particularly science, news, and formal communication. It's crucial to recognize that while following conventions provides a solid foundation, thoughtful deviation can sometimes spark innovation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abide by rules

Stresses obedience to a set of regulations or guidelines.

comply with standards

Focuses on meeting specific requirements or benchmarks that have been set.

adhere to norms

Emphasizes sticking to accepted standards of behavior or practice within a group or society.

go by the book

Informal way to express following official procedures and regulations precisely.

observe customs

Highlights the act of respecting and practicing traditional ways of doing things.

uphold customs

Similar to 'observe customs', but carries a stronger sense of actively defending these customs.

respect traditions

Emphasizes valuing and upholding long-established practices and beliefs.

maintain conformity

Highlights the act of keeping in line with prevailing attitudes or behaviors.

stick to the script

Suggests following a pre-planned course of action without deviation.

act accordingly

Implies behaving in a way that is appropriate and in line with expectations or rules.

FAQs

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

You might say, "In academic writing, it's important to follow conventions for citation" or "The design team decided to follow conventions to ensure the website was user-friendly".

What's an alternative to "follow conventions" that still emphasizes adhering to rules?

Consider using "abide by rules", "comply with standards" or "adhere to norms" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always necessary to "follow conventions"?

While following conventions provides a foundation for understanding and consistency, there are times when deviating from conventions can lead to innovation or improvement. Consider the context carefully.

What is the difference between "follow conventions" and "challenge conventions"?

"Follow conventions" means to adhere to established practices, while "challenge conventions" implies questioning or rejecting those practices. They represent opposing approaches.