rule of practice

USAGE SUMMARY

"rule of practice" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts related to established procedures or guidelines within a specific field or profession. For example, "The committee followed the rule of practice to ensure fairness in the selection process." Alternative expressions include "standard procedure" and "guideline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

There has been an old rule of practice called the "newspaper rule".

The Guardian - Opinion

But the opponents saw in it a repudiation of the Bible as the determining rule of practice.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In accordance with the general rule of practice, the study analyzed aggregated data using the smallest areal units for which data were available to ameliorate the effects of aggregation.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Therefore, relaxing binary variables should not be used as a general rule-of-practice to improve computational burden, at least, until each particular model is tested under different load scenarios and formulations to quantify the final effects of binary variables on the specific UC implementation.

Electric Power Systems Research

He promoted a scrutiny of the S.E.C.'s use of its rules of practice to discipline accountants and lawyers.

The New York Times

Rule 102 e) of the S.E.C.'s rules of practice says that the commission can bar a lawyer who is found "to be lacking in character or integrity or to have engaged in unethical or improper professional conduct".

The New York Times

2nd century ad, Alexandria and Rome), Greek gynecologist, obstetrician, and pediatrician, chief representative of the methodist school of medicine (emphasizing simple rules of practice, based on a theory that attributed all disease to an adverse state of "internal pores").

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Rosch agreed with the general outlines of the Facebook settlement, but wrote in his dissent that the Federal Trade Commission Rules of Practice "do not provide for such a denial" of the charges.

The New York Times

And should our intelligence stray into the complexities of the different levels of reading, from applied ethics to the rules of practice, we must never forget to clothe ourselves in the intellectual modesty that alone can reveal the secrets of the Text.

The New York Times - Books

A complaint against Dr. James E. Mitchell is now before the Texas State Board of Psychologists, alleging that he violated the profession's rules of practice in helping the C.I.A. develop "enhanced interrogation techniques" for use in its so-called black prison sites during the Bush administration's war on terror.

The New York Times

"The biotech aspect of patent law has changed tremendously since I started in practice and the rules of practice have changed just as significantly.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Identify the governing body or specific context to provide clarity, such as the "S.E.C.'s rule of practice" or "general rule of practice in oncology".

Common error

Do not use "rule of practice" as a synonym for a personal routine or an informal heuristic. For informal or approximate guidelines, use "rule of thumb". A "rule of practice" implies an external mandate or an industry-wide standard that has been formally established.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rule of practice" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific, often codified, guideline or regulation governing behavior within a professional or administrative field. In Ludwig, it is seen defining how agencies like the S.E.C. discipline professionals or how data is analyzed in scientific studies.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rule of practice" is a sophisticated linguistic tool used to denote formal, often institutionalized, procedures. Based on analysis from Ludwig, the term is essential in legal, medical and scientific contexts where adherence to established protocols is mandatory. It differs significantly from informal heuristics like a "rule of thumb" by implying a level of codification and collective agreement. When writing, ensure that you use "rule of practice" to refer to these specific, high-level standards rather than general habits. Its usage in sources like The New York Times and various Scientific Journals underscores its status as a cornerstone of professional and formal discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

code of practice

Refers more specifically to a written set of rules explaining how people working in a particular profession should behave.

standard operating procedure

More common in technical or administrative contexts to describe step-by-step instructions for routine operations.

procedural rule

Emphasizes the formal legal or administrative mechanics of a process.

established practice

Focuses on tradition and long-standing behavior rather than codified regulations.

norm of practice

Suggests a socially or professionally expected behavior that may not be strictly written down.

operational guideline

Implies a less rigid or mandatory instruction than a "rule".

professional standard

Broadens the scope to include quality and ethics alongside procedural steps.

canon of practice

A more formal and often religious or highly traditional term for a body of rules.

administrative regulation

Specifically refers to rules created by government agencies or governing bodies.

rule of thumb

Represents an informal, approximate principle rather than a strict, formal mandate.

FAQs

How do I use "rule of practice" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a formal procedure, such as: "The committee strictly followed the established "standard procedure" known as the 102(e) rule of practice."

What is the difference between "rule of practice" and "rule of thumb"?

A "rule of practice" is a formal, often written regulation used by institutions, whereas a ""rule of thumb"" is an informal, practical principle based on experience rather than strict theory.

What can I say instead of "rule of practice"?

Depending on your context, you can use alternatives like "code of practice", "procedural guideline" or "professional standard".

Is "rule of practice" a formal term?

Yes, it is highly formal. According to examples in Ludwig, it frequently appears in legal documents from the S.E.C., medical research papers and high-level journalism to describe a "regulation" or "protocol".