previous practice

USAGE SUMMARY

"previous practice" is a valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that had been done or accepted in the past. For example: "This new policy changes our previous practice of holding monthly staff meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This approach of asking patients beforehand if a treatment innovation is acceptable would appear to be more practical and ethically desirable than previous practice.

Acta Neurochirurgica

This was an unexplained departure from previous practice.

The New York Times

But the appointment of Mr. Scheinman was a departure from previous practice.

The New York Times

Mafiosi were kept in jail pending appeal (a departure from previous practice).

The Guardian

And yet our survey found that previous practice, not degree of fear, predicts who speaks up.

Harvard Business Review

The usual situation is that the values arise from consensus, experience, and previous practice.

Engineering Geology

"This is consistent with the Senate's previous practice following double dissolution elections and reflects the will of the voters".

The Guardian

Contrary to all previous practice, he wants to cut taxes even further in the face of "wartime" deficits.

The New York Times

Previous practice has been to assume the design was sound, but to inspect for age-related deterioration.

The New York Times

After all, no one in the UK objected to the previous practice of charging men and women different premiums.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I really hadn't made too many birdies in the three previous practice rounds that I had.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting a "previous practice" with a new one, clearly articulate the reasons for the change and the benefits of the updated approach.

Common error

Avoid using "previous practice" when you actually mean the current, ongoing method. Ensure you're referring to something that is no longer in use or has been superseded.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous practice" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object within a sentence. It refers to an established method or procedure that was followed at an earlier time. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in contrasting older methods with newer approaches.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous practice" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to methods, customs, or procedures that were used in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic sources. When using this phrase, clarity is key: make sure it's evident that you're referring to something no longer in use. Alternatives like "past procedures" or "former methods" can be used to add variety to your writing, but "previous practice" remains a reliable and widely understood choice for describing established ways of doing things from an earlier time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

past procedures

Refers to the set of actions or methods used in the past, emphasizing a formal approach.

former methods

Highlights that the ways of doing something are no longer in use, indicating a change.

historical precedent

Emphasizes the value of past actions as a guide for the future, especially in legal or formal settings.

established custom

Focuses on the traditional and widely accepted nature of the practice.

customary practice

Underscores the routine and habitual nature of the practice.

traditional approach

Highlights the historical and time-honored aspect of the practice.

conventional method

Implies adherence to widely accepted and standard ways of doing things.

routine procedure

Focuses on the standardized and regular nature of the practice.

prior norm

Indicates a standard or pattern that was previously accepted but may no longer be.

bygone system

Highlights the historical and outdated nature of the practice.

FAQs

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

You can use "previous practice" to refer to a method, custom, or procedure that was used in the past. For example, "The new guidelines differ significantly from our "previous practice" of manual data entry".

What's a good substitute for "previous practice"?

Alternatives include "past procedures", "former methods", or "established custom" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "prior practice" instead of "previous practice"?

Yes, "prior practice" is a synonymous and correct alternative to "previous practice". They both refer to a practice that occurred before the current one.

What's the difference between "previous practice" and "current practice"?

"Previous practice" refers to a method or custom that was used in the past, while "current practice" refers to the method or custom that is being used now. They are contrasting terms, representing different time periods.