it is common practice to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is common practice to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a certain action or behavior is widely accepted or typically done in a particular context or field. Example: "In the field of medicine, it is common practice to obtain informed consent from patients before proceeding with any treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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 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

It is common practice to bring beehives into the orchard during bloom.

Britannica

It is common practice to support pregnant women – for very good and necessary reason.

Harvard University

It is common practice to use various synonyms for the Deity.

Cornell University

It is common practice to model short-term wind speeds with the Weibull distribution.

Energy Conversion and Management

Therefore, it is common practice to support the analysis experimentally with wind tunnel test results.

Energy Procedia

Concerning centrifugal pumps, it is common practice to flange the pump directly to the motor.

Handbook of Hygiene Control in the Food Industry

In many production firms it is common practice to financially reward managers for firm performance improvement.

International Journal of Production Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is common practice to", ensure that the context clearly defines the specific field or area where the practice is common. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid stating that "it is common practice to" without specifying the relevant context. For example, instead of saying "it is common practice to use this software", specify "in software development, it is common practice to use this software for testing purposes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is common practice to" functions as an introductory phrase to describe widely accepted procedures or habits within specific contexts. Ludwig confirms its usability, indicating correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

73%

Academia

11%

News & Media

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is common practice to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to introduce standard procedures or habits across various domains. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to inform about typical methods, especially in scientific and academic contexts. While versatile, ensuring clarity by specifying the relevant field when using this phrase enhances its effectiveness. Alternatives like "it is standard procedure to" or "it is customary to" can be considered based on the specific context. This phrase is frequently observed in scientific literature and academic writing, making it a valuable tool for formal and informative communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is standard procedure to

Indicates an official or established method, implying a more formal context.

it is customary to

Focuses on established customs or traditions, suggesting long-standing practices.

it is typical to

Highlights the usual or expected way of doing something.

it is usual to

Similar to 'typical', but with a slightly less formal tone.

it is generally accepted to

Emphasizes broad agreement or consensus regarding a practice.

it is a widespread habit to

Focuses on the widespread nature of the habit, more informal.

it is a common thing to

Replaces "practice" with "thing", simplifying the structure.

people usually

Simplifies the phrase by focusing on the actors and their actions.

most people tend to

Highlights a tendency or inclination among a group.

the convention is to

Emphasizes adherence to established norms or conventions.

FAQs

What does "it is common practice to" mean?

The phrase "it is common practice to" indicates that a certain action or behavior is widely accepted or typically done in a particular field or context. It suggests that something is a standard or usual procedure.

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

You can use "it is common practice to" to introduce a standard method or approach. For example, "In the field of medicine, "it is common practice to obtain informed consent" from patients before proceeding with any treatment."

What can I say instead of "it is common practice to"?

You can use alternatives like "it is standard procedure to", "it is customary to", or "it is typical to" depending on the context.

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

"It is common practice to" is generally preferred because it focuses on the action being a widespread habit, while "it is a common practice to" emphasizes the practice as a singular entity. The first option is more idiomatic.