prior practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior practice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to previous methods or procedures that were followed before a certain point in time. Example: "The company decided to revert to prior practice after evaluating the effectiveness of the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

"Because the Commission's approach departs from prior practice, it should not be applied retroactively".

The Guardian - Tech

This can break with prior practice and introduce a new organizational culture and policy outcome.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a statement, Patrick Toomey, staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, which had represented Amnesty International and the other plaintiffs, hailed the move but criticized the Justice Department's prior practice.

The New York Times

Rather than restoring the footage, or trying to elide or correct the damage, Morrison revels in it, maintaining it onscreen in a way that's consistent with, and that reflects, his prior practice in his best-known film to date, "Decasia," from 2002.

The New Yorker

Within two hours of the closing of the polls, contrary to prior practice and electoral rules, the Interior Ministry, through the state news agency, announced a landslide victory for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose fantastical take on the world and world history appears to have added another fantastical episode.

The New York Times

Why should the landlord be allowed to interfere with that kind of arrangement?" Mr. Belkin said that concerns about the impact of allowing tenants to charge roommates only for their proportionate share of the rent seemed to ignore the impact that prior practice had on roommates.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"They've never felt constrained by prior practices," Pilson, an industry consultant, said.

The New York Times - Sports

Members of Congress expressed outrage Thursday at the Air Force's prior practices.

The New York Times

Ashley continued: "Very often what is happening here is that prior practices would be indicative that this is the way things were done.

The New York Times - Sports

Equipment Check/Inventory: All equipment necessary to conduct the execution will be inventoried and checked at least 72 hours prior to the execution.... Between Two Days and One Day Prior Practices: Final practices will be conducted as directed by the warden.

The New York Times

6. THAT ARAF shall report to Wada on any anti-doping practices or procedures within its relationship with the IAAF that seem to be outside established authority or different from prior practices.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting a new approach with an old one, use "prior practice" to clearly indicate what was done before. For example: "The new policy is a significant departure from the prior practice of unlimited spending."

Common error

Avoid using "prior practice" when you actually mean the current or standard practice. "Prior practice" should only refer to something that is no longer the norm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior practice" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a previously existing method, custom, or procedure. Ludwig provides many examples illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prior practice" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that refers to a method, custom, or procedure that existed before a certain point in time. Ludwig highlights its frequent appearance in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. Alternatives such as "established procedure" or "previous custom" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning desired. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's essential to differentiate "prior practice" from current practice to avoid confusion. The phrase plays a key role in contrasting old and new approaches.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

established procedure

Focuses on the formal and documented aspect of the practice.

previous custom

Highlights the habitual and traditional aspect of the practice.

former method

Highlights that the method is no longer in use.

customary approach

Implies a widely accepted and conventional way of doing things.

historical precedent

Emphasizes the use of past instances as a guide for present actions.

past routine

Emphasizes the repetitive and regular nature of the practice.

traditional way

Highlights the long-standing and time-honored aspect of the practice.

pre-existing system

Focuses on the organized and structured nature of the practice.

antecedent practice

Stresses the practice's role as a predecessor to current actions.

earlier strategy

Focuses on the planned and purposeful nature of the prior practice.

FAQs

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

You can use "prior practice" to refer to a method or procedure that was followed before a certain point in time. For example: "The company decided to revert to the "prior practice" after evaluating the effectiveness of the new policy."

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

"Prior practice" and "previous practice" are often interchangeable, but "prior" can imply a more formal or established context, while "previous" is more general. Consider the specific nuance you want to convey when choosing between them.

What can I say instead of "prior practice"?

You can use alternatives like "established procedure", "previous custom", or "former method" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a prior practice"?

While grammatically correct, it's more common to use "prior practice" as a non-count noun. Using the article "a" might be appropriate if you're specifically referring to one particular instance of a prior practice.