procedures

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "procedures" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a course of action to be followed or a set of instructions for how to do something. Example sentence: Employees must comply with the safety procedures established by the company.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The MPs and peers suggested that the new legislation should list every intrusive capability available to the security services and specify their purpose, authorisation procedure and what safeguards and oversight procedures exist for their use.

The Guardian

The FCA said the bank should have placed more importance on this, particularly as it was reviewing its procedures as a result of the Libor fine.

The Guardian - Business

On Monday, the US supreme court will hear oral arguments in the Sheehan case, to decide whether and how disabilities regulations apply to police policies and procedures during arrests.

The Guardian

Urgent medical care will still be provided, but all routine operations and other procedures are likely to be affected.

The Guardian

Their recommendation that this new legal framework must be based on an explicit avowal of intrusive surveillance capabilities and spell out authorisation procedures, privacy constraints, transparence requirements, targeting criteria and the rest is also significant.

The Guardian

Already, the authorities enjoy sweeping powers under a 2013 law to close down websites for advocating "extremist activities" or "participation in public events held in breach of appropriate procedures".

The Guardian

But the procedures have to be exactly the same – it is the only way to stay safe.

The Guardian

The list of internationally approved war crimes indictments drawn up by the commission cover important modern categories of crimes, including aggression, genocide, crimes against humanity, modes of liability – including that of mid-level perpetrators - and international procedures, as well as the development of international criminal justice as a whole.

The Guardian

Political leaders around the world have had much to say since Snowden began his revelations, but not one statement that consisted of "I regret subjecting my own people to these procedures".

The Guardian - Tech

Asking the questions, explaining the procedures and coordinating his team is paediatric emergency consultant Dr Nick Sargant.

The Guardian

Ebola safety procedures were triggered at Southmead hospital in Bristol last month when Adam Griffiths, 24, who had been travelling in Africa arrived in accident and emergency, suffering from chest and abdominal pains and feeling hot and sweaty.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "procedures" when referring to a formal series of steps or actions, especially within organizations or regulated environments.

Common error

Avoid using "procedures" without context. Saying "follow procedures" is vague. Instead, specify which procedures you are referring to, such as "follow safety procedures" or "follow the established reporting procedures."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "procedures" is as a plural noun. It typically functions as the object of a verb or preposition, referring to a set of actions or steps that are followed in a specific order or for a particular purpose, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "procedures" functions as a plural noun referring to established courses of action. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and very common, appearing most frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts. When writing, it's best to define the context of the "procedures" to avoid vagueness. Related terms include ""protocols"", "processes", and "guidelines". Understanding these nuances helps ensure clarity and precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

standard protocols

Emphasizes established and accepted methods.

established processes

Focuses on the formalized and recognized series of actions.

official guidelines

Highlights the formal and prescribed nature of the instructions.

accepted practices

Refers to commonly used and approved methods.

routine operations

Suggests standardized and frequently performed actions.

systematic approaches

Indicates a structured and methodical way of doing things.

prescribed steps

Highlights the mandated and ordered sequence of actions.

defined workflows

Focuses on structured and sequential tasks for a particular process.

operational methods

Emphasizes the practical application of techniques.

regulatory compliance

Focuses on adhering to external rules and standards

FAQs

How do I use "procedures" in a sentence?

You can use "procedures" to refer to a set of actions that are the official or accepted way of doing something. For example, "The hospital has strict safety "protocols" for handling infectious diseases."

What are some alternatives to "procedures"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""protocols"", "processes", "methods", or "guidelines".

Is it correct to say "procedure's"?

The term "procedure's" indicates possession (e.g., "the procedure's steps"). If you are referring to more than one procedure, the plural form "procedures" is correct (e.g., "the new procedures").

What is the difference between "procedures" and "policies"?

"Policies" are broad principles or rules, while "procedures" are the specific steps to follow to implement those policies. Policies define what should be done; procedures define how to do it.