widespread practice

USAGE SUMMARY

"widespread practice" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a habit or custom that is widely accepted and commonly practiced. For example, "The widespread practice of tipping at restaurants is a long-standing tradition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Displacement is a widespread practice.

The New York Times

Pill sharing among friends and family is a widespread practice.

Harvard University

"This was a widespread practice in the banking industry.

The New York Times

This is a significant issue given its widespread practice.

Journal of Great Lakes Research

He continued: "It's hard to tag the governor uniquely when this is a widespread practice.

The New York Times

The widespread practice of benchmarking, if not carried out correctly, may also be anti-competitive.

The Guardian

It was a much more widespread practice then, rather than a social nuisance.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Matthew Gardner, Dr. Dean's New Hampshire press secretary, defended the widespread practice of tracking.

The New York Times

Anthony vanEyck Miller, a vice president of Bellmarc, defended the widespread practice of distributing examples.

The New York Times

"Infanticide," Mr. Reilly said, shaking his head, "was a widespread practice then".

The New York Times

The main problem is the widespread practice of selling votes to the highest bidder.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "widespread practice" to denote customs, habits, or methodologies that are commonly observed and accepted across a particular field, industry, or society. Ensure the context clearly defines the scope of the practice being described.

Common error

Avoid using "widespread practice" without sufficient evidence or context to support the claim. Ensure that the practice is genuinely prevalent and not merely assumed to be so. Providing specific examples or data to support the claim can enhance credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widespread practice" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature. It denotes a custom, habit, or methodology that is commonly accepted or observed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "widespread practice" is a noun phrase denoting a custom, habit, or methodology commonly accepted across different sectors. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is grammatically correct and highly usable in various contexts. Its prevalence is evident in the number of real-world examples identified by Ludwig. It's often found in formal contexts such as news, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, emphasizing the extensive acceptance and implementation of the practice being described. While often used to simply denote prevalence, be mindful of overgeneralizing the scope, as accuracy is paramount. Alternatives like "common practice" or "established practice" may offer nuanced meanings depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

common practice

Replaces "widespread" with "common", indicating a general prevalence rather than emphasizing the extent.

general practice

Substitutes "widespread" with "general", focusing on the broad application of a practice.

established practice

Highlights that the practice is well-recognized and has been in use for a significant period.

prevailing practice

Emphasizes that the practice is currently dominant or most frequently observed.

ubiquitous practice

Indicates that the practice is present everywhere or is extremely common.

routine practice

Focuses on the habitual and standardized nature of the practice.

conventional practice

Highlights that the practice adheres to accepted norms and standards.

widely adopted practice

Emphasizes the active acceptance and implementation of the practice by many.

commonly accepted practice

Focuses on the general agreement and approval surrounding the practice.

broadly implemented practice

Highlights the extensive and widespread application of the practice across various settings.

FAQs

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

You can use "widespread practice" to describe something commonly done or accepted. For example, "The "widespread practice" of using email for communication has transformed business operations."

What are some alternatives to "widespread practice"?

Alternatives include "common practice", "general practice", or "established practice". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very widespread practice"?

While not strictly incorrect, "very widespread practice" can be redundant. "Widespread" already implies a high degree of prevalence. Consider using stronger alternatives or simply relying on ""widespread practice"".

What is the difference between "widespread practice" and "common knowledge"?

"Widespread practice" refers to actions or methods that are commonly performed, while "common knowledge" refers to information that is generally known. They describe different aspects of prevalence – actions versus information.