traditionally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "traditionally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to practices, customs, or beliefs that have been established over a long period of time. Example: "Traditionally, families gather for a big meal during the holidays to celebrate together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We outline whom they face first, how far they might go, and what would be a good French Open result for players from a nation that has traditionally struggled on the terre battue.

The Guardian - Sport

This apartment – where it is, with the views it has – is unaffected by the issue of it being in Tower Hamlets, a traditionally poorer borough.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Disabled daughters in India are thought traditionally to bring shame and bad luck on families and so are often hidden away.

The Guardian

A handful of nationalist MPs from the more distant Celtic parts of Britain have traditionally been noisy but not important.

The Guardian

This Twitter-savvy newcomer secures the band a gig at SXSW, the Texan music festival where the underground traditionally goes over.

The Guardian - Film

The shares were the biggest risers in the FTSE 100 jumping almost 8% despite concerns from analysts that the bank would lose revenue as a result of the cuts in its investment banking division, traditionally the group's powerhouse that generates more than 50% of the profits.

The Guardian - Business

An important change has taken place in its political culture: traditionally Ulster's most devolutionist party, most of its supporters now prefer a form of direct rule.

The Guardian

These days, you're likely to get flatscreen TVs and chocolate truffles along with the uninterrupted views and peaceful idyll which a farmhouse location traditionally affords.

The Guardian - Travel

British newspapers have traditionally been run by home counties, public school, Oxbridge-educated, men.

The Guardian - Opinion

Speak to most teenagers about how they consume music and they'll tell you it's via YouTube, which means the charts – traditionally the barometer of teen taste – don't completely take account of the people who listen to the most new music.

The Guardian - Music

"Law enforcement, and the justice system in fact, is traditionally and historically something handled by state and local government".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "traditionally", ensure that the practice or belief being described has a genuine historical basis and is not a recent invention misattributed to the past.

Common error

Avoid using "traditionally" to describe something that is merely common or popular at present. "Traditionally" implies a historical basis, not just current prevalence.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "traditionally" modifies verbs or adverbs to indicate that an action or state aligns with long-established customs or practices. Ludwig examples show it emphasizing historical roots.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "traditionally" functions as an adverb used to emphasize that a practice, belief, or custom has historical roots. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and very common, as demonstrated by numerous examples from reputable sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times. When using "traditionally", be sure to use it when a practice is rooted historically and not just something common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conventionally

This alternative emphasizes adherence to established norms or agreements.

customarily

This emphasizes practices rooted in long-standing customs.

historically

This highlights a practice's existence and development over time.

by tradition

This phrase directly refers to the influence of tradition.

in accordance with tradition

More formally states how things align with accepted traditions.

as is the custom

Highlights a prevailing custom or common practice.

in the old way

Evokes past practices often replaced with newer ones.

of old

Refers to practices from previous times or ages.

in times past

Highlights how customs were carried out long ago.

according to long-established practice

Emphasizes how an action adheres to long-standing traditions.

FAQs

How can I use "traditionally" in a sentence?

Use "traditionally" to indicate that something has been done or believed for a long time. For example, "Traditionally, families gather for a big meal during the holidays".

What words are similar to "traditionally"?

Similar words include "conventionally", "customarily", and "historically". Choose the word that best fits the context of your sentence.

When is it appropriate to use "traditionally" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that a practice, belief, or custom has historical roots or has been in place for a long time. Be sure it isn't just a contemporary trend.

Is it correct to say "traditionally" when describing something that is no longer practiced?

Yes, you can use "traditionally" to refer to something that was done in the past but is no longer common. For instance, "Traditionally, women wore long dresses, but today they wear a variety of styles".