habitual obedience

USAGE SUMMARY

"habitual obedience" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It generally refers to the habit of complying with orders or following rules, usually without hesitation or argument. For example, "The sergeant expected the soldiers to show habitual obedience to their commanding officer."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The "sovereign" is defined as a person (or determinate body of persons) who receives habitual obedience from the bulk of the population, but who does not habitually obey any other (earthly) person or institution.

SEP

"Habitual obedience" in Austin's theory is a relatively simple notion as compared with Bentham's interactional model: all that it requires is a correspondence between what the sovereign commands and what the bulk of a political community actually does.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Commands are laws "simply and properly so-called" when they prescribe courses of conduct, not specific acts, and are "set" by the "sovereign" (i.e., the person or persons to whom a society renders habitual obedience and who render no such obedience to others).

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Not the habitual shopper.

The New York Times - Books

(a) Unquestioning obedience.

The New Yorker

"Obedience comes from listening".

The New York Times

All about obedience.

The New Yorker

Obedience is ingrained.

The New York Times

"OBEDIENCE" July 22 at Borders.

The New York Times

OBEDIENCE, by Will Lavender.

The New York Times - Books

ends in obedience.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "habitual obedience" when you want to emphasize the consistent and almost automatic nature of following commands or rules, particularly in contexts involving authority or discipline.

Common error

Avoid using "habitual obedience" when you mean "blind obedience", which implies unthinking and unquestioning compliance, potentially to harmful or unethical commands. "Habitual obedience" suggests a consistent practice, but not necessarily a lack of critical thought.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "habitual obedience" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig provides examples where it describes a consistent behavior or expectation within a defined structure.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "habitual obedience" is grammatically sound and denotes a consistent pattern of compliance, as affirmed by Ludwig. Though its usage is infrequent, it appears in diverse contexts like encyclopedias, science, and news media. The phrase is best used to emphasize consistent adherence to rules or authority, distinguishing itself from "blind obedience" by implying a consistent practice rather than uncritical compliance. Ludwig provides examples to illustrate its proper use. Related phrases like "consistent compliance" or "routine compliance" can offer alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unquestioning obedience

Stresses the lack of doubt or questioning in the act of obeying.

consistent compliance

Replaces "obedience" with a broader term for following rules; less specific to authority.

automatic compliance

Focuses on the reflexive nature of following rules or orders.

regular submission

Emphasizes yielding to power or authority regularly, with a slightly different nuance.

disciplined compliance

Highlights the self-control and training involved in consistent obedience.

customary adherence

Focuses on sticking to rules or customs habitually; less about direct commands.

ingrained submission

Suggests that obedience is deeply embedded in one's character or behavior.

routine compliance

Highlights the automatic, unthinking nature of obedience.

constant dutifulness

Emphasizes the sense of obligation and responsibility in obeying.

established obedience

Indicates that the obedience has been practiced or in place for a longer time.

FAQs

What does "habitual obedience" mean?

"Habitual obedience" refers to a consistent pattern of following orders or rules, suggesting a well-established practice of compliance.

How can I use "habitual obedience" in a sentence?

You might say, "The military training instilled "habitual obedience" in the recruits" or "The citizens' "habitual obedience" to the law ensured social order".

What's the difference between "habitual obedience" and "blind obedience"?

"Habitual obedience" implies a consistent practice of following rules, while "blind obedience" suggests uncritical and unquestioning compliance, even if it's harmful.

Are there synonyms for "habitual obedience"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "consistent compliance", "routine compliance", or "unquestioning obedience" depending on the nuance you want to convey.