atypical for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'atypical for' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that someone or something is outside the norm or has a characteristic that is not usual in its type. For example: "The dog's behavior was atypical for a canine of its age."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are just atypical for Normandy.

The New York Times - Food

"This is atypical for us," Tiley said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm atypical for a dealer," says Merrin.

The New York Times - Magazine

Either way, it's atypical for the rock milieu.

The Guardian - Music

The story is not atypical for the museum.

The New York Times - Arts

That price is not atypical for Green's Farms.

The New York Times

So I did something that was very atypical for me.

The New York Times

This tradition is not atypical for families of modest means.

The New York Times

His looks were read as atypical for porn – boyish and approachable, passably hipster.

The Guardian

Their set, atypical for the festival, involved post-bop standards by John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter.

The New York Times - Arts

"These are all atypical for the Broadway we've known over the last decade," Mr. Bernstein said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace with a more impactful word choice whenever the situation requires it. If you want to highlight that something is out of the ordinary, use "unusual for". If you want to highlight that something is unexpected, use "uncharacteristic of".

Common error

Avoid using "atypical for" in very broad or generic statements. This can weaken your writing. Instead, specify the context or group to which you are referring for better precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "atypical for" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause, indicating that something deviates from the norm or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely recognized and used correctly in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "atypical for" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to express deviation from the norm, as verified by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and widely accepted, appearing frequently in news, science, and academic contexts. While alternatives like "uncommon for" or "unusual for" exist, "atypical for" remains a common and effective choice for indicating something is outside the norm. The phrase's neutral register makes it appropriate for various writing styles, although writers should avoid overgeneralization and ensure clarity by specifying the context of comparison. This comprehensive analysis underscores the reliability and utility of "atypical for" in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not typical of

A direct negation of typical behavior, mirroring "atypical for" by indicating a deviation from the norm.

uncommon for

Indicates rarity or infrequency within a specific context, similar to "atypical for" but emphasizes the lack of commonality.

unusual for

Highlights the deviation from the expected or standard, much like "atypical for", with a focus on the unexpected nature.

uncharacteristic of

Emphasizes a departure from the typical traits or behaviors of something or someone, similar to "atypical for" but focused on character.

out of the ordinary for

Stresses the exceptional or non-routine nature of something, akin to "atypical for" but highlighting the break from routine.

rare for

Indicates infrequency and scarcity, mirroring "atypical for" by focusing on the lack of typicality.

an exception to

Indicates a specific instance that does not conform to a general rule or pattern, similar to "atypical for" in its deviation.

aberrant for

Emphasizes a deviation from the normal or expected course, much like "atypical for", focusing on irregularity.

deviant from

Suggests a divergence from a standard or norm, similar to "atypical for", but can sometimes imply a more negative deviation.

an anomaly in

Highlights something that stands out as different from the rest, similar to "atypical for" in identifying a deviation.

FAQs

How can I use "atypical for" in a sentence?

You can use "atypical for" to describe something that deviates from the norm or expectation within a specific context. For example, "His calm reaction was atypical for someone facing such a crisis".

What is a good alternative to "atypical for"?

Alternatives to "atypical for" include "uncommon for", "unusual for", or "uncharacteristic of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "not typical for" instead of "atypical for"?

Yes, "not typical for" is a correct and often interchangeable alternative to "atypical for". Both phrases convey the idea of something deviating from the usual or expected.

What's the difference between "atypical for" and "unique to"?

"Atypical for" indicates a deviation from a norm, whereas "unique to" signifies something that is exclusively associated with a particular entity or context. They are not interchangeable; "unique to" implies exclusivity, while "atypical for" implies deviation.