What Does "conventionally" Mean?
- What it expresses: It is an adverb of manner or degree that indicates something is done in accordance with established standards, norms, or accepted rules. It suggests that an action or attribute aligns with what is expected or typical in a specific field or society.
- What part of the sentence it typically modifies: It most frequently modifies adjectives (e.g., conventionally pretty) and verbs (e.g., dresses conventionally). It can also modify an entire clause when used as a sentence adverb.
- Register: The term is primarily formal or neutral. It is a staple in academic, journalistic, and professional writing, though it appears in sophisticated conversation as well.
How to Use It
- Typical sentence positions:
- Mid-position: Most common when modifying an adjective or verb (e.g., "He was conventionally dressed").
- Initial position: Used to set the framework for a statement (e.g., "Conventionally, this is done by...").
- Final position: Rare, but possible for emphasis on the manner of an action.
- What it modifies and how it changes the meaning: When modifying an adjective, it adds a layer of social or professional context (e.g., hot vs. conventionally hot implies the person meets standard beauty norms). When modifying a verb, it describes the method as being standard rather than experimental.
- Grammatical flexibility: It is highly flexible. It can be fronted for emphasis, used in negation ("not conventionally attractive"), and used in questions ("Is this conventionally accepted?").
- What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using it to describe personal, idiosyncratic habits (where "usually" or "normally" is better) or using it in highly informal slang contexts where it may sound overly stiff.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from conventionally on Ludwig.guru.
"Eventually Broad deserted this tactic; the leg-side fielders were brought in and he set a field that allowed him to bowl more conventionally." — theguardian.com
"Conventionally you can create a new dictionary on each rendering request and then simply mutate the values during the request handling." — theguardian.com
"In the film, Paddy Considine, who plays him, dresses conventionally in what looks like an M&S checked shirt." — theguardian.com
"However, it is not memory that it moulds—at least, not memory as conventionally understood." — economist.com
"Worse still, cruise missiles are inherently destabilising: an adversary cannot distinguish between a nuclear and a conventionally armed cruise missile." — economist.com
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/conventionally
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| traditionally |
Relates to long-standing customs or historical practices rather than just current standards. |
| customarily |
Focuses on habitual actions or social etiquette. |
| ordinarily |
More neutral; refers to what happens in normal circumstances. |
| standardly |
Technical or formal; refers to adherence to a specific benchmark or prototype. |
| typically |
Very common and neutral; used to describe representative characteristics. |
| by definition |
Used when the conventionality is inherent to the meaning of the word itself. |
Common Mistakes
- Wrong Scope: Placing it too far from the adjective it modifies, which can obscure whether it refers to the manner of an action or the quality of a person.
- Register Mismatch: Using it in very casual text (e.g., "I conventionally eat pizza on Fridays") where "usually" or "normally" is the natural choice.
- Confusion with 'traditionally': Learners often confuse it with 'traditionally,' failing to distinguish between something done out of long-standing cultural history versus something done for the sake of standard formal agreement.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| Conventionally |
Adverb of Manner/Degree |
Formal / Neutral |
Mid-position or Initial |
FAQs
Where in a sentence should conventionally appear for the most natural flow
The most natural placement for conventionally is the mid-position, specifically right before the adjective or verb it modifies. However, it can also be placed at the beginning of a sentence as a sentence adverb to indicate that the entire following statement follows standard practice.
What is the main difference between using conventionally and traditionally
While both refer to established patterns, traditionally implies a historical or cultural root that has been passed down through generations. In contrast, conventionally refers to current standards, formal agreements, or the "standard way" of doing things within a professional or social framework.
Can I use conventionally and traditionally interchangeably in all contexts
No, you should avoid using them interchangeably because learners often confuse them, failing to distinguish between something done out of long-standing cultural history versus something done for the sake of standard formal agreement. For example, a scientific method is conventionally accepted because of current consensus, not traditionally accepted because of ancient folklore.