anomaly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "anomaly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an outlier, something that deviates from what is expected or usual. For example: "The market fluctuations in this particular sector are an anomaly, as trends typically remain stable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The 1% and the 99% enshrined by Occupy are not an anomaly of our time, Piketty's research suggests.

The Guardian - Money

The anomaly is that at the time, when I was about seven, the last thing I wanted was ever to see the picture again.

The Guardian - Books

Why should we make do with this linguistic ambiguity and persist with a grammatical anomaly?

The Guardian

When future historians begin to look back on Sepp Blatter's long and ill-received reign as Fifa president, a bit like considering the career of King Louis XVI but without the popular support or winsome personality, there is one anomaly that will jump out straight away.

The Guardian - Sport

We're the anomaly heading into Wales on the A55.

The Guardian - Travel

But I am aware that I am simply an anomaly, someone with a slightly heightened chance of moving up through the class system.

The Guardian - Opinion

Merging health and care will highlight the anomaly where healthcare remains free at the point of use but social care is means-tested, and increasingly hard to access.

The Guardian - Opinion

This year may be an anomaly for the Oscars (it is rare that a complete whitewash takes place), but for the Grammys the lack of diversity is an established trend.

The Guardian

The Academy eventually addressed this anomaly by introducing an annual trophy for best Soap or Continuing Drama, the latter a term developed to appease another sensitivity in the genre.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"When [AEC staff] were doing the Wangaratta early voting centre, an anomaly in the tally sheet was found of around a thousand votes," he said.

The Guardian

"The Mossad is under the prime minister, there is no anomaly whatsoever in the fact that Ben Gurion the prime minister assigned this task to the Mossad," Alpher explained.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "anomalies", ensure the context clearly establishes the expected or normal state, so the deviation is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "anomaly" as a vague term for anything unusual. It specifically means a deviation from a well-defined norm. If there's no clear standard, a word like "unusual" or "atypical" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "anomaly" functions primarily as a noun, referring to something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected. Ludwig shows several examples in news articles and academic texts where "anomaly" is used to describe irregularities in data or unusual occurrences. It can also refer to a defect or malformation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "anomaly" is a noun used to describe a deviation from the norm or what is expected. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business communications. While the term is versatile, it is important to ensure that the norm from which the deviation occurs is clearly defined. Related terms include "irregularity", "deviation", and "aberration". The analysis of usage patterns indicates that "anomaly" frequently appears in news and scientific contexts, highlighting its role in reporting unusual events and research findings. The most authoritative sources using "anomaly" are The Guardian and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irregularity

Focuses on the lack of conformity to rules or expectations.

deviation

Highlights the act of departing from an established course or standard.

aberration

Emphasizes a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically in a negative way.

outlier

Specifically refers to a data point that differs significantly from other observations.

inconsistency

Points to a lack of uniformity or coherence.

unusual occurrence

Highlights that something rare or infrequent has taken place.

abnormality

Refers to something not normal or typical.

oddity

Suggests something peculiar or strange.

divergence

Highlights the act of moving in different directions from a common point.

exceptional case

Implies that a specific instance stands apart from the general rule.

FAQs

How can I use "anomaly" in a sentence?

Use "anomaly" to describe something that deviates from the norm or expected. For example, "The sudden drop in sales was an anomaly compared to previous years."

What is a good alternative to "anomaly"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "irregularity", "deviation", or "aberration".

Is there a difference between "anomaly" and "unusual occurrence"?

"Anomaly" implies a deviation from a specific norm or standard, while "unusual occurrence" simply means something rare or infrequent without necessarily violating a rule. Therefore, "unusual occurrence" is not always an "anomaly".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the word "anomaly"?

"Anomaly" is appropriate in contexts where you want to highlight a departure from established patterns or norms, such as in scientific data analysis, statistical reporting, or describing unusual events. Context determines best word.