avoid the extraordinary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid the extraordinary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to steer clear of unusual or exceptional situations, often in a context where simplicity or normalcy is preferred. Example: "In your writing, it's best to avoid the extraordinary and focus on relatable experiences that resonate with your audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And former Conservative chancellor Ken Clarke said voters should focus on the "serious" parties of government to avoid the "extraordinary set of circumstances" in which UKIP would have influence on a future administration, describing them as a "one-issue" party with "extreme" views on immigration.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Still, some owners go to extraordinary lengths to avoid the stress flying can cause to pets.

The New York Times - Travel

Some folks go to extraordinary lengths to avoid the summer heat and stay as thoroughly chilled as they would be in January.

The New York Times

I've seen celebrities go to extraordinary lengths to avoid the public in similar situations, but all three of today's hosts are busying around trying to make Charlotte's set visit special.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Both were Southern men in Ivy League colleges, and both had fathers in Congress who might suffer politically if their sons fled to Canada or took extraordinary measures to avoid the draft.

The New York Times

Her extraordinary life is due to this; a naïveté turned sagacious to avoid the buffeting of others' craziness.

Huffington Post

"It is of extraordinary importance that the creditors be informed of our position attempting to avoid the default," he said.

The New York Times

Rangers plan to avoid an extraordinary general meeting by "rolling the business" from the EGM into their annual general meeting.

BBC

God's perfect planning avoids the necessity for (continual or continuous) extraordinary concourse.

SEP

Indeed, while the bandwidth crunch may never be avoided on extraordinary high-volume days like the theoretical crash described above, it is possible to take greater control of your investments.

Forbes

The FBI has "avoided public mention of the extraordinary presence of Tin," the paper says.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing advice, use "avoid the extraordinary" to suggest prioritizing practicality and simplicity over complex or unusual solutions.

Common error

Don't use "avoid the extraordinary" to discourage creativity or innovation in contexts where exceptional solutions are required. The phrase is best suited for situations where normalcy is preferred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid the extraordinary" functions as an imperative or a suggestion to steer clear of unusual or exceptional circumstances. This directive can be seen in examples where prioritizing simplicity and practicality is advised, as highlighted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "avoid the extraordinary" is a directive to prioritize simplicity and practicality over complex or unusual solutions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although its usage is rare. Primarily found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it serves to advise caution and preference for conventional approaches. When employing this phrase, ensure the situation calls for a straightforward, reliable approach, rather than discouraging innovation where exceptional solutions might be beneficial. Be mindful of the scope to avoid misapplication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shun the exceptional

Replaces "avoid" with "shun" and "extraordinary" with "exceptional", emphasizing a deliberate rejection.

steer clear of the unusual

Uses "steer clear of" instead of "avoid", highlighting a careful maneuver to bypass something.

eschew the remarkable

Employs "eschew", a more formal term for avoid, paired with "remarkable" for variety.

bypass the outstanding

Substitutes "avoid" with "bypass", suggesting a direct path around something notable.

circumvent the singular

Replaces "avoid" with "circumvent", implying a strategic way of going around something unique.

dodge the uncommon

Uses "dodge" to convey a quick, evasive action and "uncommon" in place of "extraordinary".

evade the atypical

Swaps "avoid" for "evade", suggesting escape, with "atypical" replacing "extraordinary".

stay away from the phenomenal

Uses "stay away from" to imply distance, with "phenomenal" as a more emphatic replacement for "extraordinary".

keep clear of the prodigious

Employs "keep clear of", suggesting a need for ample space, alongside "prodigious".

sidestep the exceptional

Replaces "avoid" with "sidestep", suggesting a lateral movement to miss something.

FAQs

How can I use "avoid the extraordinary" in a sentence?

You can use "avoid the extraordinary" to suggest prioritizing practicality and simplicity over complex or unusual solutions, as in "When selecting a tool, "avoid the extraordinary" and choose the one that's most reliable".

What does "avoid the extraordinary" imply?

The phrase implies a preference for conventional or simple solutions over those that are complex, unusual, or potentially risky. It suggests focusing on what is practical and reliable rather than what is exceptional or attention-grabbing.

When is it appropriate to advise someone to "avoid the extraordinary"?

It's appropriate when the situation calls for a straightforward, reliable approach and the potential benefits of an unusual or exceptional solution don't outweigh the risks or complications. For example, when troubleshooting a common technical issue, "avoid the extraordinary" and start with basic checks.

Which is a better choice: "avoid the extraordinary" or "embrace the extraordinary"?

The better choice depends on the context. "Avoid the extraordinary" is suitable when simplicity and reliability are key, while "embrace the extraordinary" is appropriate when innovation and unique solutions are desired.