longstanding practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "longstanding practice" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a custom or habit that has been in place for a long time. You can use "longstanding practice" to describe something that has been done for a significant period of time and has become an established tradition or norm. For example: - It has been a longstanding practice in our family to gather for a big meal on Christmas Eve. - The company's longstanding practice of offering a generous retirement package has helped to retain loyal employees. - Our school has a longstanding practice of hosting a charity fundraiser every year. - It is a longstanding practice in many cultures to exchange gifts during the holidays. - The country's longstanding practice of electing a new president every four years is outlined in the constitution.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But examining this longstanding practice seems worthy in lean times.

The New York Times

It is a longstanding practice in the industry, W.W.E.

The New York Times

Well, there's this: each is a tradition-rattling departure from its maker's longstanding practice.

The New York Times

A GCHQ spokesman said: "It is longstanding practice that we do not comment on intelligence matters".

Independent

David M. Steiner, the state education commissioner, said this request stemmed from a longstanding practice.

The New York Times

Israeli leaders have a longstanding practice of meeting the candidates from both parties.

The New York Times

"We have a longstanding practice of not commenting on pending litigation," Amazon spokesperson Shannon Midgley said.

The Washington Post

The federation declined to give an exact vote count, citing longstanding practice.

The New York Times

It has a longstanding practice of not commenting on individual cases.

The Guardian

Screaming pursuit of a sensational event is a longstanding practice in the news media.

The New York Times

The chartered accountant RNS reported that this was a "longstanding practice".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing organizational culture or policies, use "longstanding practice" to emphasize stability and continuity over time.

Common error

Avoid using "longstanding practice" to describe recent trends or initiatives. This phrase should only be applied to habits or customs that have genuinely endured for a considerable amount of time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "longstanding practice" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "longstanding" modifies the noun "practice". It describes something that has been done or followed for a considerable amount of time. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is common and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "longstanding practice" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that refers to a custom or habit that has been in place for a long time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When using the term, ensure it accurately reflects a custom with significant duration, and be mindful of its professional tone in formal communications. Remember to not use "longstanding practice" to describe recent trends. Consider also using alternative phrases like "old practice" or "long established practice" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long established practice

Highlights the well-established and recognized nature of the practice.

longstanding custom

Replaces "practice" with "custom", focusing on traditional and habitual behavior.

long practice

A more concise version, omitting "standing" while retaining the core meaning.

longstanding habit

Replaces "practice" with "habit", emphasizing the repetitive and ingrained nature of the behavior.

old practice

Focuses on the age of the practice, emphasizing its historical aspect.

persistent practice

Focuses on the continuous and enduring nature of the practice.

lengthy practice

Highlights the duration of the practice, emphasizing its extended period.

long term practice

Emphasizes the extended duration and continued application of the practice.

ancient practice

Emphasizes the very old and traditional nature of the practice.

longstanding methodology

Substitutes "practice" with "methodology", suitable when referring to a structured approach.

FAQs

How can I use "longstanding practice" in a sentence?

You can use "longstanding practice" to describe a custom or habit that has been in place for a long time. For example, "It's a "longstanding practice" in our company to give employees a bonus at the end of the year."

What can I say instead of "longstanding practice"?

You can use alternatives like "old practice", "long established practice", or "longstanding custom", depending on the context.

Which is correct: "long standing practice" or "longstanding practice"?

"Longstanding practice" is the correct and more commonly used form. "Long standing practice" is less frequent and grammatically awkward.

What's the difference between "longstanding practice" and "tradition"?

While both refer to established customs, "longstanding practice" emphasizes the duration and habitual nature, whereas "tradition" often carries a stronger connotation of cultural or historical significance.