Meaning & use
conventionally
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Meanings
adverbnot comparable
In the usual, accepted way that most people or traditions expect.
Grammar: Modifies a verb or adjective: conventionally dressed, conventionally taught.
Patterns
- conventionally dressed
- conventionally accepted
- conventionally taught
She was conventionally dressed in a dark suit and tie for the interview.
Rice is conventionally served alongside this dish.
The course is conventionally taught in lecture format.
adverbnot comparablemilitary
By ordinary, non-nuclear means, as in conventionally armed or conventional weapons.
Grammar: Used in military and security contexts, usually before a past participle.
Patterns
- conventionally armed
The country is conventionally armed and has no nuclear weapons.
Conventionally powered submarines are quieter at low speed.
The treaty limits conventionally equipped forces in the region.
adverbnot comparableformal
As people commonly say or believe, though not necessarily as it really is; introduces an accepted view.
Grammar: Often starts a sentence and sets up a contrast: Conventionally, X is believed, but Y.
Patterns
- conventionally, ...
Conventionally, the sun is said to rise in the east, but the earth is what moves.
The word is conventionally spelled with two Ts, though old books differ.
Conventionally, doctors have prescribed rest, but newer advice favors movement.
Common combinations
- conventionally attractive
- The actor was not conventionally attractive, but audiences adored him.
- conventionally dressed
- The bankers were conventionally dressed for the meeting.
- conventionally grown
- Conventionally grown crops are often sprayed with pesticide.
- conventionally defined
- Success is conventionally defined in terms of salary.
- conventionally armed
- Both sides are conventionally armed.
Synonyms and how they differ
- traditionally
- Traditionally points to long-standing custom handed down over time, while conventionally refers to what is generally accepted at present.
- normally
- Normally describes what usually happens, with no sense of social agreement about how things should be done.
- customarily
- Customarily suggests a habit of a person or group, whereas conventionally suggests a widely shared standard.
- ordinarily
- Ordinarily is plainer and means in ordinary circumstances, without the idea of an accepted rule.
Opposites
Word family
- convention noun
- an accepted way of doing something, or a large formal meeting
- conventional adjective
- following accepted customs
- conventionality noun
- the quality of being conventional
- unconventional adjective
- different from what is usual
- conventionalize verb
- to make something conform to custom
Commonly confused: conventionally or conventional? conventionally or conversationally?
conventionally vs conventional
Conventional is the adjective (a conventional method); conventionally is the adverb describing how something is done.
conventionally vs conversationally
Conversationally means in the manner of casual talk, which is unrelated to following custom.
Practice
The tests were ___ done by hand, but the lab now uses a machine.
Choose one answer.
Conventionally means in the usual accepted way, which contrasts naturally with the new machine. The other adverbs do not set up that contrast.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “conventionally”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.