any deviation from the norm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "any deviation from the norm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing variations or differences from what is considered standard or typical behavior, performance, or characteristics. Example: "In scientific research, any deviation from the norm can indicate a significant finding that warrants further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

And yet it works, partially because any deviation from the norm is a better alternative.

The Guardian - Film

Estimating the rate of mean-reversion is tricky, but we can more or less sidestep this by looking at long-term expectations: after a decade, we can expect the bulk of any deviation from the norm to be eliminated.

The New York Times

The formerly nicest, sweetest posters, now swoop down collectively like Hitler trying to stem any disagreement, any deviation from the norm and policed protocols.

Huffington Post

Western culture asks women to prescribe to the myth of motherhood as something immaculate and miraculous ― with any deviation from the norm perceived as weakness or insubordination on the part of the mother.

Huffington Post

Proponents of this view reject the notion that there is an "ideal" brain configuration and that any deviation from the norm is pathological; they promote tolerance for what they call neurodiversity.

Wikipedia

Any deviation from the norm indicated loss of BBB integrity.

European Journal of Neuroscience

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"Any deviations from the norm and the software is going to pick it up - that may be the type of transaction you've made or the amount".

BBC

They then use this to construct a model of normal behavior over time and flag any deviations from the norm, such as a junior finance department employee suddenly downloading reams of sensitive data from a cloud service late at night.

Huffington Post

Traceable cause suggests a deviation from the norm.

The New Yorker

"He is not a deviation from the norm, but the norm itself".

The New York Times

Since it is a deviation from the norm, the extra-wide or extra-long photograph has a built-in attraction.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "any deviation from the norm", ensure the context clearly establishes what the "norm" is. This provides a clear reference point for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "any deviation from the norm" without specifying the relevant standard. This can lead to ambiguity and misinterpretation. Always clarify what constitutes the 'norm' in your context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "any deviation from the norm" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing exceptions or variations from expected patterns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

25%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "any deviation from the norm" is a versatile phrase used to denote departures from expected standards across diverse fields. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability, particularly in news, scientific, and general contexts. While it maintains a neutral register, its effectiveness relies on clearly defining the 'norm' within the specific context. For increased formality, alternatives such as "any divergence from the standard" can be employed. Remember to clearly define the 'norm' in your specific situation to prevent misunderstanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

any departure from the usual

Replaces "deviation" with "departure" and "norm" with "usual", offering a slightly more informal tone.

any divergence from the standard

Substitutes "deviation" with "divergence" and "norm" with "standard", providing a more formal and precise alternative.

any variation from the average

Uses "variation" instead of "deviation" and "average" instead of "norm", which is suitable for statistical or quantitative contexts.

any alteration to the expected

Replaces "deviation" with "alteration" and "norm" with "expected", highlighting a change from what is anticipated.

any shift from the typical

Employs "shift" instead of "deviation" and "typical" instead of "norm", emphasizing a change in trend or pattern.

any exception to the rule

Presents the phrase as an exception rather than a deviation, implying a more rigid set of guidelines.

any anomaly in the pattern

Uses "anomaly" to convey something unusual or irregular in a sequence or design.

any irregularity in the system

Focuses on a flaw or inconsistency within a defined system.

any aberration from the ideal

Replaces "norm" with "ideal", suggesting a departure from a perfect or desired state.

any nonconformity to the custom

Highlights a lack of alignment with established practices or traditions.

FAQs

What does "any deviation from the norm" mean?

It refers to any instance where something differs from what is considered standard, typical, or expected within a specific context.

How can I use "any deviation from the norm" in a sentence?

You might say, "Any deviation from the norm in test results should be investigated thoroughly".

What can I say instead of "any deviation from the norm"?

You can use alternatives like "any departure from the usual", "any divergence from the standard", or "any variation from the average depending on the context.

Is "any deviation from the norm" formal or informal?

The phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "any divergence from the standard" may be preferred in academic or professional settings.