atypical

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'atypical' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not usual, or not what is expected. Example sentence: "The child was exhibiting atypical behavior for a child of his age."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I had scarcely met Stephen, and then one Saturday I met some old friends for coffee and they were saying, 'Gosh it's terrible about Stephen, isn't it?' They told me that he had been in St Bartholomew's hospital in London having horrible tests and then had been diagnosed with an atypical form of a rare disease – motor neurone disease.

The Guardian

What is now becoming clearer, however, is that it is succeeding in atypical Labour areas which have experienced relatively low spending cuts".

The Guardian

Comedy group The Lonely Island, helmed by Saturday Night Live's Andy Samberg, teamed up with Justin Timberlake for this atypical Mother's Day present.

The Guardian

There's often a fine line between the alarmism of the Daily Mail (I daren't read the Express) over atypical migrants who want to keep their Belgravia house (I'm not making up that one) or of Migration Watch and the complacency about numbers and absorbability which ministers sometimes display.

The Guardian

Conventional cardiac therapies work for cancer survivors as well as the general population, even though the need comes earlier in life or for otherwise atypical sufferers.

The Economist

Easy financing conditions for German banks, firms and households were coming to an end.Some may still want to call that an (atypical) balance-sheet recession, but there were "structural" problems, too: rigid labour markets, Germany's overvaluation within the euro and deindustrialisation pressures in the world's most industrialised country.

The Economist

Whatever you may think about Mr Obama's atypical family, they were certainly not "nobodies".Joel Heinen MiamiSIR – I would like to congratulate Mr Obama on his brilliant victory.

The Economist

It restricted surgical interventions on children born with atypical genitals.

The Economist

The result, in the case of SARS, was that WHO did not know about the outbreak of atypical pneumonia that began the epidemic until the Chinese government confirmed it in February.

The Economist

Many are what labour-market economists call "atypical employment", the kind that is often better suited to service industries: part-time, temporary, involving irregular or unusual hours, or done on a contract basis.

The Economist

Staying aloof from both would risk leaving her jobless, and at risk of losing the political momentum that is clearly building behind her.I'm learning these results in probably the most atypical part of Brazil.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "atypical", ensure the context clearly defines what the 'typical' or 'normal' expectation is, providing a clear point of reference for the deviation.

Common error

Avoid using "atypical" without establishing a clear baseline for comparison. If the reader doesn't understand what is considered normal in the given context, the use of "atypical" loses its meaning and impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "atypical" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that they do not conform to the normal or expected type. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is used to describe something that is not usual, or not what is expected.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "atypical" is a grammatically sound adjective used to describe something that deviates from the norm. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across diverse contexts. Found frequently in news, scientific, and formal business publications, "atypical" serves to highlight deviations from established standards. When using "atypical", ensure that the norm it deviates from is clear to the audience. Alternatives like "uncommon", "unusual", and "irregular" can be used depending on the context, to add nuance and precision to your writing. By providing clear points of reference, writers can effectively use "atypical" to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unusual

Indicates a deviation from what is commonly seen or experienced.

uncommon

Describes something not frequently encountered.

irregular

Suggests a lack of conformity to established rules or patterns.

non-standard

Indicates a divergence from the established standard.

abnormal

Implies a significant departure from the typical or expected condition.

uncharacteristic

Describes something not typical of a particular person, thing, or place.

anomalous

Denotes something that is inconsistent with the general pattern.

out of the ordinary

Emphasizes that something is not typical or routine.

deviant

Highlights a departure from accepted standards or norms.

eccentric

Describes something peculiar or unconventional.

FAQs

How can I use "atypical" in a sentence?

You can use "atypical" to describe something that deviates from the norm or standard. For example, "The patient presented with "atypical symptoms"".

What are some synonyms for "atypical"?

Some synonyms for "atypical" include "uncommon", "unusual", and "irregular".

Is it better to use "atypical" or "unusual"?

The choice between "atypical" and "unusual" depends on the context. "Atypical" suggests a deviation from a defined norm, while "unusual" simply means not commonly seen or experienced. In cases where the normal expectations are not fully definied "unusual" is generally safer and more applicable.

What's the difference between "atypical" and "abnormal"?

"Atypical" implies a deviation from what is typical, while "abnormal" suggests a departure from what is considered healthy or functional. "Abnormal" often carries a more negative connotation. Depending on the context, alternatives such as "uncommon" might be more appropriate.