has traditionally been

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has traditionally been" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has been done or believed for a long time in a particular culture or society. Example: "Eating rice has traditionally been a staple in Asian cuisine." In this sentence, "has traditionally been" is used to describe the long-standing practice of eating rice in Asian culture.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Labour has traditionally been pro-European Union.

The New York Times

The south has traditionally been very poor.

The Guardian

Perfumery has traditionally been considered a craft.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The relationship, however, has traditionally been bumpy.

The New York Times

It has traditionally been staunch in the Americans' favour.

The Economist

(The Nuba minority has traditionally been allied with Southern rebels).

The New Yorker

Ohio's economy has traditionally been driven by manufacturing.

The New York Times

Colombia has traditionally been wary of strong presidents.

The Economist

That has traditionally been a month for weddings, too.

The New Yorker

The neighborhood has traditionally been home to many Italian-Americans.

The New York Times

English football has traditionally been dominated by the North.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has traditionally been", ensure that the statement accurately reflects historical or cultural norms and is not based on outdated assumptions. Provide context to avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "has traditionally been" to describe practices that are not universally accepted or have significantly changed over time. Ensure your statement reflects nuanced understanding and not oversimplification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has traditionally been" functions as a linking phrase to connect a subject with a state, quality, or activity that has been characteristic of it over a long period. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to describe established practices or beliefs, highlighting their historical context. For instance, "The south has traditionally been very poor".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has traditionally been" is a versatile phrase used to denote long-standing customs, practices, or beliefs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. Its frequency and appearance across various sources, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, demonstrate its relevance in formal and neutral registers. When employing this phrase, ensure accuracy and avoid overgeneralization to maintain clarity and credibility. Understanding its communicative purpose, as background context, is key to its effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has historically been

Replaces 'traditionally' with 'historically', emphasizing the historical aspect of the practice or belief. The semantic similarity is very high.

has customarily been

Replaces 'traditionally' with 'customarily', emphasizing the role of custom or habit. Retains a formal tone.

has typically been

Substitutes 'traditionally' with 'typically', indicating common but not necessarily universal practice. This is semantically close.

has long been

Emphasizes the duration of the practice or belief, suggesting it has existed for a considerable time. This adds emphasis on time.

has commonly been

Replaces 'traditionally' with 'commonly', highlighting frequency rather than historical precedent. Similar but emphasizes prevalence.

was formerly

Focuses on a past state, implying a change from a previous condition. Slightly less direct than the original phrase.

was once

Highlights a state that existed in the past but is no longer the case. Implies a more definitive change than 'used to be'.

used to be

Indicates a past habit or state, simpler and more informal. The shift is stylistic.

had been

Indicates a state that existed before another point in the past, useful for establishing a sequence of events. Adds a narrative dimension.

it was conventional

Shifts the sentence structure to focus on the conventional nature of something. Changes the emphasis slightly.

FAQs

How can I use "has traditionally been" in a sentence?

Use "has traditionally been" to describe customs, practices, or beliefs that have existed for a long time. For example, "Celebrating with family "has traditionally been" an important aspect of holidays".

What are some alternatives to "has traditionally been"?

You can use alternatives such as "has historically been", "used to be", or "has typically been" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "has traditionally been" and "was formerly"?

"Has traditionally been" implies a long-standing custom or practice, while "was formerly" indicates a previous state that has since changed. The former emphasizes continuity, the latter, a transition.

Is it correct to use "has traditionally been" for something that is no longer common?

Yes, it can be correct if you're referring to a past tradition. However, clarify that it is no longer current to avoid confusion. For example, "While it "has traditionally been" practice, it is no longer common today".