atypical of

USAGE SUMMARY

"atypical of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is not typical or usual for a particular thing or group of things. For example, "The magenta-colored wings are atypical of the species of butterfly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is also quite atypical of Greek tragedy.

The Guardian

Mr. Lethbridge does not seem atypical of the Harrington's members.

The New York Times - Style

The companies hope consumers will be won over by programming atypical of commercial radio.

The New York Times

"Doubt is a real hallmark of Scott, and that's quite atypical of figures like him".

The Guardian

Very green, very Greek and very serene, Skopelos is atypical of the Aegean islands.

The Guardian - Travel

New York's extensive mass-transportation system actually makes its problems atypical of the nation.

The New Yorker

In certain respects, "The One Hundreds" is atypical of what Tharp eventually became.

The New Yorker

I may be atypical of my gender, but I'm not alone.

The New York Times - Style

But the film was in many ways atypical of his work as a director.

The New York Times - Arts

The Coast is atypical of the state as a whole.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This is atypical of protein binding, which is normally a physical, rather than chemical association.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "uncharacteristic of" or "not representative of" for stylistic variation and to avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "atypical of" without specifying the reference group or standard. This can lead to ambiguity. Be explicit about what the subject is not typical of.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "atypical of" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun by indicating that it deviates from the usual or expected characteristics of a particular group or category. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s commonly used to highlight something that is not typical or usual.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "atypical of" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that highlights deviations from the norm. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to emphasize that something is not typical or usual for a particular thing or group. With "atypical of" being particularly common in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, this expression serves to draw attention to exceptions or irregularities. For stylistic variation, consider using alternatives such as "uncharacteristic of" or "not representative of". When incorporating this phrase into your writing, ensure you clearly specify what the subject is not typical of to avoid ambiguity. While "atypical of" is correct, avoid "untypical of" since the former has much greater usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncharacteristic of

Emphasizes the departure from the usual characteristics.

not representative of

Focuses on the lack of representativeness.

deviating from

Highlights the act of straying away from a norm or standard.

different from the norm for

Explicitly states the divergence from the typical pattern.

an exception to

Indicates a case that does not follow the general rule.

not in keeping with

Suggests a lack of alignment or consistency.

out of the ordinary for

Highlights the unusual or exceptional nature.

distinct from the usual

Emphasizes the separateness and difference from what is common.

rare for

Indicates infrequency or scarcity.

an anomaly in

Presents the subject as an irregularity or deviation from the norm.

FAQs

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

Use "atypical of" to describe something that deviates from the norm for a particular category. For example, "This behavior is "atypical of" this species".

What are some alternatives to "atypical of"?

You can use alternatives like "uncharacteristic of", "not representative of", or "deviating from" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "atypical of" or "untypical of"?

"Atypical of" is the preferred and more commonly used phrase. "Untypical of" is less frequent and may sound awkward to some speakers. Therefore, use the phrase "atypical of".

In what contexts is "atypical of" most appropriate?

"Atypical of" is suitable in contexts where you want to emphasize that something is an exception or deviates from a standard. This can be in scientific, news, or general discussions.