aberration

USAGE SUMMARY

'aberration' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to refer to a deviation from the normal or usual way of thinking or behaving. Example sentence: His sudden shift in attitude last week was seen as an aberration from his usual behavior.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He declined to attend the wedding of his lesbian half-sister, Candace Gingrich-Jones, having referred to gay marriage as "a temporary aberration" and, really, there is no one better placed to sound off on the sanctity of the institution of marriage than Newt Gingrich.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is a real hope that the social democrats will realise that 1997 was not an electoral aberration and have enough confidence to argue for their real beliefs.

The Guardian

It is clear to me that recent events are an aberration.

The Guardian

He regarded her as authoritarian, egotistical, intolerant, an aberration among Conservative leaders.

The Guardian

I believe the incident for which he will probably be jailed is an aberration, and not the measure of him.

The Guardian

Writing for the PinkNews website before the contest, Ronny Larsson, editor of Swedish LGBT magazine QX, said Zelmerlöw had only intended to say gay sex was less common than the heterosexual variety, not an aberration.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Describing the leak as "an aberration", he said: "I have known Alistair for almost 30 years and have worked closely with him in parliament for almost a decade.

The Guardian

I do not know which constitution, which laws, they were reading, but it seems to me it is an aberration of perception when something that is essentially the result of a mutiny is called legitimate".

The Guardian

Curtis Good and Swindon's Massimo Luongo both made their debuts but the second-half was an aberration.

The Guardian - Sport

Forster's aberration in upending Naismith followed – neither the penalty nor the goalkeeper's sending off was contested by Lennon – with Steven Whittaker converting to send Rangers in front before the interval.

The Guardian - Sport

Many dismissed her experience as a once-off aberration.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aberration" to describe deviations in various fields, from scientific observations to behavioral patterns, but maintain consistency in its application to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "aberration" solely to imply something negative. While it describes a deviation from the norm, that deviation isn't inherently undesirable; clarity about the departure is key.

Linguistic Context

The word "aberration" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a deviation or departure from what is normal, typical, or expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term is versatile and applicable across numerous contexts. Its usage clearly marks a specific instance that varies significantly from the norm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "aberration" is a versatile noun used to describe deviations from the norm across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English, highlighting its application in news, formal business, and scientific discourse. While generally neutral to formal in register, it is crucial to establish the norm clearly when using "aberration" to ensure the deviation is easily understood. Common errors include misinterpreting "aberration" as simply 'bad', instead of acknowledging its specific departure from a defined standard. Related phrases like "anomaly" or "deviation" can serve as effective alternatives depending on the specific shade of meaning you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anomaly

Replaces "aberration" with a term emphasizing irregularity and deviation from the standard.

deviation

Substitutes "aberration" with a word focusing on departure from an established course or norm.

irregularity

Uses a term that highlights a departure from what is considered regular or normal.

divergence

Replaces "aberration" to describe a branching off or difference from a common point or path.

oddity

Emphasizes the strange or peculiar nature of something unusual.

departure from the norm

Replaces "aberration" with a phrase explicitly stating a deviation from typical expectations.

unusual occurrence

Focuses on the infrequency and atypical nature of an event.

freak event

Emphasizes the randomness and unexpected nature of the occurrence.

glitch

Replaces "aberration" with a term often used in technical contexts to denote a minor malfunction or problem.

quirk

Uses a term to indicate a peculiar behavioral habit or characteristic.

FAQs

How to use "aberration" in a sentence?

You can use "aberration" to describe something that deviates from the norm. For example: "His sudden anger was an aberration from his usual calm demeanor."

What can I say instead of "aberration"?

You can use alternatives like "anomaly", "deviation", or "irregularity" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "aberration" or "aberrance"?

"Aberration" and "aberrance" are both correct and related, but "aberration" is more commonly used to refer to a specific instance of deviation, while "aberrance" describes the general quality of being aberrant.

What's the difference between "aberration" and "anomaly"?

While both terms refer to deviations from the norm, "anomaly" often suggests something that is difficult to classify or explain, whereas "aberration" indicates a departure from what is considered correct, normal or desirable.