it is common practice

USAGE SUMMARY

"It is common practice" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is typically done or expected in certain situations, for example: "It is common practice for employers to provide employees with health insurance benefits."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In New Mexico, it is common practice.

The New York Times

It is common practice among commercial lenders.

The New York Times

It is common practice for American managers.

Harvard Business Review

(It is common practice for nurse anesthetists to administer anesthesia).

The New York Times - Style

It is common practice to change species names when warranted.

Stanford University

It is common practice to dewater organic solvents by distillation.

Fluid Phase Equilibria

It is common practice nowadays to supplement cable damping through external devices.

Engineering Structures

It is common practice to define criteria at one probability level.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

In criminal cases, it is common practice to bring relatives of defendants before grand juries.

The New Yorker

Some people have expressed surprise at this (though it is common practice).

The New Yorker

It is common practice in hospitals to measure temperature with an ear probe.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is common practice" to clearly and concisely describe established methods, behaviors, or procedures within a specific field or context.

Common error

Avoid using "it is common practice" without specifying the relevant context. Clearly indicate where the practice is common to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is common practice" functions as an introductory expression. It indicates that what follows is a generally accepted or standard way of doing something. Ludwig confirms this by providing numerous examples across different domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

25%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is common practice" is a versatile phrase used to introduce actions or methods widely accepted in various contexts. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed across science, news, and academic fields. When using this phrase, it is vital to provide enough context to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "it is standard procedure" or "it is typical to" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. This phrase serves to establish common ground and provide context, which is crucial for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is standard procedure

Replaces "practice" with "procedure", implying a more formalized and documented approach.

it is established practice

Highlights the long-standing and well-recognized nature of a particular method.

it is customary to

Emphasizes tradition and social norms rather than a formal rule or method.

it is typical to

Focuses on the usual or expected way of doing something.

it is generally accepted

Highlights the widespread agreement or approval of a certain behavior or method.

it is a common occurrence

Shifts the focus to the frequency of an event or situation rather than a deliberate action.

it is routine to

Implies a regular and established pattern of action.

it is the norm

Indicates that something is considered the standard or usual way of behaving.

it is widely used

Emphasizes the broad adoption and application of a method or technique.

it's a widespread habit

Suggests a behavior is common and ingrained, possibly without formal sanction.

FAQs

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

You can use "it is common practice" to describe established procedures or behaviors, such as "it is common practice to report test results using a specific format".

What are some alternatives to "it is common practice"?

Alternatives include "it is standard procedure", "it is customary to", or "it is typical to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it is common practice" or "it is a common practice"?

"It is common practice" is generally preferred as it describes a widespread and established method, whereas "it is a common practice" implies one of several common methods.

When is it appropriate to use "it is common practice"?

Use "it is common practice" when you want to indicate that a particular method, behavior, or procedure is generally accepted and widely used within a specific field or context.