anomalous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anomalous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected. Example: "The data showed an anomalous result that required further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The results from this analysis show that the highest rate of instances where electors moved back to their original address were aged between 20-24 years (24.8%), which is not anomalous behaviour for that age group," the submission said.

The Guardian

They may arise as the result of honest misinterpretation of naturally occurring phenomena (for example, seeing faces and figures in the shadows or hearing noises made by animals in the night), or common but frightening anomalous experiences.

The Guardian - Opinion

It would surely be hard to argue that England are not the more accomplished side and ought to be more than capable of winning comfortably, if not overwhelmingly, particularly over the course of a five-Test series which are rather less open to anomalous results than three-match ones.

The Guardian - Sport

It seems an anomalous combination – gambling and aesthetics – but it's in the ethos of a new kind of supercasino this place is introducing.

The Guardian

However extreme, Antilia is hardly anomalous.

The Guardian

In the absence of any accompanying data, it is hard to judge whether the ascent of these languages is truly "rapid", and hence anomalous, or merely natural.

The Economist

He said it was time to "modernise" the higher-education system, "by redistributing resources".Even under the Conservative government, a scheme was begun to make the funding of teaching in other universities more uniform making Oxbridge's college fees look ever more anomalous.

The Economist

Bikers now have to make down-payments of 25%, yet sales for July still hit a new high of 579,077, up from 541,918 in June.July's strong figures may yet prove anomalous.

The Economist

It points out that it ignores bids, offers and deals that are anomalous or suspicious.

The Economist

Or it might be that the 1990s, when temperatures were rising fast, was the anomalous period.

The Economist

Neptune was also discovered in 1846 after two mathematicians analysed decades of observations of the anomalous motion of Uranus to reveal the gravitational influence of an unseen planet.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "anomalous" when you want to emphasize a deviation from a statistically normal or expected pattern. It is particularly useful in scientific, technical, or formal contexts.

Common error

While "anomalous" is a valid and useful word, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler synonyms like "unusual" or "odd" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "anomalous" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a deviation from the normal or expected. Ludwig shows that the word is used to describe results, behavior, events, and data points that don't conform to established patterns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "anomalous" is a useful adjective to describe something that deviates from the norm or expected pattern. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and appropriate for formal contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and business writing. When using "anomalous", consider whether simpler synonyms like "unusual" or "irregular" might be more suitable for informal communication. The high frequency in news sources and the positive assessment from Ludwig AI underscore its validity and usefulness in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abnormal

A direct synonym, simply replacing "anomalous" with a more common term for something not normal.

irregular

Focuses on the lack of conformity to a standard pattern or rule.

atypical

Highlights the deviation from the typical or usual instance.

unusual

A general term that refers to something that is not common or ordinary.

deviant

Emphasizes a departure from accepted standards or norms, often carrying a stronger connotation.

inconsistent

Highlights a lack of uniformity or agreement, often within a set of data or observations.

out of the ordinary

A more descriptive phrase stressing the unusual nature of something.

uncommon

Simply stresses something is not frequently seen or occurring.

uncharacteristic

Highlights that a trait or behavior is not typical for the subject.

peculiar

Suggests something is strange or odd, often in an interesting way.

FAQs

How do you use "anomalous" in a sentence?

The word "anomalous" is typically used as an adjective to describe something that deviates from the norm. For example: "The data showed an "anomalous result" that required further investigation."

What can I say instead of "anomalous"?

You can use alternatives like "abnormal", "irregular", or "atypical" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "anomalous" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "anomalous" is a more formal word. In everyday conversation, simpler terms like "unusual" or "odd" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "anomalous" and "abnormal"?

"Anomalous" often implies a deviation from a statistical norm or expected pattern, while "abnormal" generally means deviating from what is considered normal or healthy. "Anomalous" tends to be more neutral and less judgmental than "abnormal".