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long-standing patterns
/ˌlɔŋˈstændɪŋ ˈpætərnz/
established recurring behaviors
The company has long-standing patterns of ignoring employee feedback.
The company consistently fails to listen to its employees' concerns over time.
formal
recurring behaviors or trends that have existed for a long time
Researchers identified long-standing patterns in voter behavior during elections.
Experts observed consistent trends in how people vote over many years.
The report highlights long-standing patterns of inequality in the workplace.
The findings show persistent disparities that have persisted for decades.
Often used in academic, business, or social contexts to describe persistent trends.
Collocations
identify long-standing patternsto recognize recurring behaviors that have existed for a long timebreak long-standing patternsto change persistent behaviors or trendslong-standing patterns of behaviorconsistent ways of acting that have continued over time
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Use in academic writing
In essays or reports, 'long-standing patterns' is useful for describing trends that have developed over many years. Pair it with data or evidence to support your observations.
Gold Rule
Avoid redundancy
Do not use 'long-standing patterns' when referring to something that has only recently developed. Instead, use terms like 'emerging trends' or 'recent patterns'.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'long-standing' (from Old English 'lang' meaning 'long' and 'standan' meaning 'to stand') with 'patterns' (from Middle English 'patron' via Old French from Latin 'patronus' meaning 'pattern'). The compound emerged in the 19th century to describe behaviors that persist over time.
Usage Notes
Common in formal contexts such as research, business analysis, and social sciences. Avoid using in informal speech where simpler terms like 'old habits' might suffice.
Word Breakdown
long-standing
having existed for a long time
compound adjectivepatterns
recurring or consistent trends
nounEnglish Dictionary