it has been common practice

USAGE SUMMARY

"it has been common practice" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used to describe a long-standing, widespread tradition or custom. Here are a few examples: - "In many cultures, it has been common practice for women to wear veils during religious ceremonies." - "For centuries, it has been common practice for newlyweds to exchange rings as a symbol of their commitment." - "In the business world, it has been common practice to negotiate contracts before finalizing any deals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Despite the fact that there is little evidence regarding the efficacy of antipsychotic polypharmacy in schizophrenia and that it is not recommended in its treatment of schizophrenia, it has been common practice in the past.

BMC Psychiatry

For decades, it has been common practice for lawmakers to designate money for specific military bases, post offices and waterways.

The New York Times

Although there is no legal requirement that candidates release their tax returns, it has been common practice since the '70s.

The New York Times

It has been common practice for both parties to raise funds using access to leaders as bait.

The Guardian

Since 1925, it has been common practice for nominees to be vetted by the judiciary committee before receiving a hearing before the full Senate.

The Guardian

It has been common practice for modern writers to use "Chenla," the contemporary Chinese term for the region, when referring to Cambodia during that time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

It had been common practice at the federal courthouse in Tucson to charge these offenders with the felony crime of illegal re-entry, but then accept a plea agreement for a conviction of the less-serious misdemeanor charge of illegal entry, which carries a sentence ranging from time served to several months.

Huffington Post

At the tertiary hospital, it had been common practice for triage nurses to order ankle radiographs without clinical examination during busy times to streamline the flow of patients through the emergency department.

British Medical Journal

He said this has been common practice in the past "everywhere in Europe".

The Economist

Although paying to skip queues has been common practice at British theme parks for some years, Sandel has argued that some things should perhaps be considered sacrosanct.

The Guardian

The outsourcing of individual council services to large private corporate companies such as Capita, Serco and BT has been common practice across local government for four decades.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has been common practice", ensure that the practice you're referring to is indeed widely recognized and has historical precedence. Provide context or examples to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a practice is 'common' without sufficient evidence. Localized or niche behaviors should not be presented as universally accepted.

Linguistic Context

It functions as an introductory phrase to describe a widely accepted or established custom, method, or behavior. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable, setting the stage for explaining a recognized way of doing things.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

55%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it has been common practice" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to introduce widely accepted or traditional methods. According to Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news, media, and scientific sources. While the phrase is clear and direct, writers should ensure that the 'practice' is genuinely widespread and supported by evidence. Alternatives such as "it has become common practice" or "it has been standard practice" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. By understanding the phrase's context and connotations, writers can use it effectively to communicate established customs and procedures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been standard procedure

Replaces 'practice' with 'procedure', emphasizing a set of formal steps.

it has been customary

Uses 'customary' instead of 'common practice', indicating something done out of tradition.

it has been the norm

Replaces the whole expression with 'the norm', highlighting something considered typical.

it has been general usage

Substitutes 'common practice' with 'general usage', focusing on the broad application of something.

it has been typical behavior

Replaces 'practice' with 'behavior', framing it as a habitual act or way of acting.

it has been a widespread habit

Replaces 'practice' with 'habit', which implies a regular tendency or inclination.

it has been broadly accepted

Shifts the focus to acceptance rather than the action itself, indicating general agreement.

it has been a regular occurrence

Changes the perspective to frequency, suggesting the practice happens often.

it has been a traditional approach

Uses 'traditional approach' to emphasize the practice's history and longevity.

it has been the usual way

Simplifies the phrase to express that something is the ordinary or expected method.

FAQs

How can I use "it has been common practice" in a sentence?

You can use "it has been common practice" to introduce a widely accepted or traditional method. For example, "It has been common practice for doctors to advise rest for minor injuries."

What phrases are similar to "it has been common practice"?

Similar phrases include "it has become common practice", "it has been standard practice", and "it has been customary".

Is "it has been common practice" formal or informal?

"It has been common practice" is generally considered neutral to formal, suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts. The level of formality depends on the context in which it is used.

What's the difference between "it has been common practice" and "it is common knowledge"?

"It has been common practice" refers to a habitual action or method, while "it is common knowledge" indicates something widely known or understood.