uncommon practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "uncommon practice" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used as a noun phrase to describe a behavior or action that is not commonly seen or done. Example: It was considered an uncommon practice for women to work outside the home in the 1950s. In this sentence, the phrase "uncommon practice" is used to explain that it was not a common or typical occurrence for women to have jobs outside the home during this time period.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's possible that the F.B.I. leaked the story to Whitten, hoping to flush out the thief, a not uncommon practice.

The New Yorker

It is "by no means an uncommon practice," said Molly Gutierrez, executive director of Physician Hospitals of America, which represents many doctor-owned hospitals.

The New York Times

The victim was 18 when she married a much older man who already had one wife, not an uncommon practice in the rural areas.

The New York Times

John McCain's campaign is being accused of authorizing surrogate signatures — not an uncommon practice — on his book "Faith of My Fathers".

The New Yorker

Falwell's fund-raising pitches on television (he makes them himself — an uncommon practice among television evangelists) suggest not General Motors ads but cereal-box-top offers.

The New Yorker

During jury selection, defense lawyers hired psychologists to help them determine who in the jury pool might favor their arguments, an uncommon practice at the time, he said.

The New York Times

He also insisted that his two daughters receive an education, an uncommon practice in a Bedouin culture where women were kept secluded.

The New York Times

In the short term, then, Greece would need to limit the outflow of foreign capital, an aggressive but not uncommon practice.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

(Neither would be uncommon practices, incidentally).

The Guardian - Money

(They had adopted uncommon practices, such as collecting nutritious foods that were not usually given to children and washing their children's hands before meals).

The New York Times

At the time, retouching and altering images for clarity's sake were not uncommon practices; The A.P. and The Times no longer permit such changes to photographic images.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The construction "not an uncommon practice" is a frequent and effective litotes (double negative) used to suggest that something is actually quite normal, despite appearances.

Common error

Avoid using "uncommon practice" when referring to accidental or random events. A "practice" implies a deliberate, repeated action or a settled way of doing something. For a random event, use "rare occurrence" instead.

Linguistic Context

In the sentence, "uncommon practice" functions as a noun phrase. It usually serves as the direct object of a verb or as a subject complement following a linking verb (e.g., "This is an uncommon practice"). According to Ludwig AI, it is often modified by the negative particle 'not' to create a nuanced affirmation of frequency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "uncommon practice" is a highly versatile and correct English expression used to describe behaviors that deviate from standard norms. As shown by Ludwig, it is exceptionally well-represented in prestigious media and academic sources. A key stylistic feature of this phrase is its use in the double negative construction "not an uncommon practice", which authors frequently employ to introduce a potentially surprising fact as a known reality. Whether you are describing historical customs, medical procedures or business tactics, this phrase provides a professional way to discuss rarity without implying total absence. It is most effective when the "practice" being discussed is a deliberate or systematic action rather than a random event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rare practice

Implies a higher degree of scarcity than uncommon

non-standard procedure

Used in technical or formal contexts to describe something outside of official guidelines

atypical approach

Suggests a method that deviates from the normal pattern or prototype

unusual habit

Focuses more on personal or social behavior rather than institutional procedures

infrequent occurrence

Shifts the focus from a deliberate action (practice) to an event happening over time

exceptional method

Carries a slight connotation of being superior or a special case

unique custom

Highlights the specific cultural or individual exclusivity of the behavior

novel technique

Emphasizes the newness or originality of the practice

scarcely seen habit

More descriptive and narrative in tone

unprecedented exercise

Suggests the practice has never happened before or lacks history

FAQs

What is the meaning of "uncommon practice"?

An "uncommon practice" refers to an action, habit or method that is not standard, frequent or widely adopted within a specific group or context.

Can I say "not an uncommon practice"?

Yes, this is a very frequent usage in English. It is a way of saying that a practice is actually "fairly common" or "not surprising", often used to validate a surprising observation.

Is it better to use "rare practice" or "uncommon practice"?

It depends on the intensity. "rare practice" implies that it almost never happens, while "uncommon practice" suggests it happens but is simply not the typical choice.

What are some synonyms for "uncommon practice"?

You can use alternatives like "unusual method", "atypical behavior" or "non-traditional approach" depending on the specific situation.