a typical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a typical" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is seen often, but not necessarily always. For example, "A typical Saturday evening in my house involves playing board games, watching a movie, and eating popcorn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A typical leftist rant?

The Economist

A TYPICAL French film?

The Economist

It's a typical story.

Independent

A typical Main Street?

The New York Times

What's a typical day?

The New York Times

A typical French figure.

The New Yorker

A typical day?

The New York Times

Again, a typical answer.

The New York Times

Here's a typical case.

The New Yorker

In a typical I.P.O.

The New York Times

Not a typical gangster.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a typical" to set expectations by describing common features or behaviors within a given context. This helps your audience understand what to expect from a situation, person, or object.

Common error

Avoid assuming that what you consider "a typical" example is universally true. Always acknowledge potential variations or exceptions to prevent misleading or inaccurate portrayals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a typical" functions as a determiner and adjective modifying a noun. As Ludwig AI suggests, it characterizes something as representative of a common type or pattern. Examples in Ludwig show its use in describing days, reactions, and even people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a typical" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe something as representative of its kind. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, its function is to characterize and classify, helping to set expectations or paint a familiar picture. Predominantly found in news and media sources, this phrase serves as a neutral descriptor useful across diverse contexts. Remember to avoid overgeneralizing when using "a typical", ensuring that you acknowledge potential variations and exceptions to avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a representative

Emphasizes that something serves as an example of its kind.

a usual

Implies that something is what generally happens or is expected.

a normal

Suggests that something is in accordance with the regular pattern.

a standard

Focuses on conformity to a norm or requirement.

a regular

Similar to 'usual' but might imply a scheduled occurrence.

a characteristic

Highlights a distinctive quality or feature.

a common

Indicates widespread occurrence or prevalence.

a conventional

Highlights adherence to established norms or practices.

a textbook

Suggests something is an ideal or classic example.

an average

Implies something is the result obtained by dividing the sum of all the instances by the number of instances.

FAQs

How can I use "a typical" in a sentence?

Use "a typical" before a noun to describe something that is representative or characteristic of a larger group. For example, "That's "a typical reaction"".

What are some alternatives to using "a typical"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a standard", "a common", or "a representative" instead of "a typical".

What does it mean when someone says "That's a typical"?

It usually means that the person is observing something that commonly occurs or is characteristic of a certain situation, group, or behavior. The phrase implies a recognized pattern or expectation.

How does "a typical" differ from "an average"?

"A typical" describes something representative or characteristic, while "an average" refers to a numerical value calculated by summing values and dividing by the number of values. "A typical day" is representative of usual days, while "an average score" is a calculated value.