but ordinarily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but ordinarily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contrast or exception to a general statement or expectation. Example: "The weather is usually warm in summer, but ordinarily, we can expect some rain in the afternoons."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

But ordinarily we don't go around looking in people's houses.

The New York Times

But, ordinarily, profit growth slows as the cycle matures, firms hire more workers and costs rise.

The Economist

But ordinarily you can see more than two-thirds of the Shinnecock Hills course.

The New York Times - Sports

But ordinarily, incorporating an inferior product doesn't increase your market share, because consumers leave for a better product.

The New York Times

The police do retain the data: the records are not "wiped", but ordinarily should not be disclosed.

The Guardian - Opinion

The capillaries are freely permeable to water and small molecules but ordinarily are not highly permeable to proteins and other materials.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

But the ordinarily laconic lad had looked really happy while he was here, hadn't he?

The New York Times

That race is limited to 14 starters, but it ordinarily attracts fewer horses than the Derby.

The New York Times - Sports

The effect is kind of cool, like stumbling onto another dimension that we inhabit but cannot ordinarily see.

The New York Times

Instead, it tries to deepen our understanding through (i ------------ what is already closest to us -- the experiences, thoughts, concepts and activities that make up our lives but that ordinarily escape our notice precisely because they are so familiar.

The New York Times

But now ordinarily perfectly sensible producers will live so much in fear for their jobs and of any complaints that "playing safe" will not even begin to cover it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but ordinarily", ensure that the contrast you are introducing is genuinely an exception to the general rule you've just stated. The clarity of the contrast is crucial for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "but ordinarily" when the following statement isn't truly an exception. Overusing it can weaken your writing and create confusion instead of clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but ordinarily" functions as an adversative conjunction, introducing a contrast or exception to a general statement. According to Ludwig AI, this conjunction is generally correct and acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but ordinarily" functions as an adversative conjunction, signaling a contrast or exception to a general statement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and is commonly used in various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. While it maintains a neutral register, its primary purpose is to qualify a preceding statement, indicating a deviation from the norm. When using "but ordinarily", ensure that the contrast is clear and genuinely an exception to the general rule. Alternatives such as "however, usually" or "yet, typically" can be used to convey a similar meaning. Overusing it might diminish clarity, so use it judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, usually

Replaces "but" with "however" and "ordinarily" with "usually", maintaining a similar level of formality.

yet, typically

Uses "yet" as a conjunction and "typically" to convey the usual course of events.

though, generally

Substitutes "but" with "though" and "ordinarily" with "generally", offering a slightly more informal tone.

although, normally

Employs "although" as a conjunction and "normally" to express what is typical.

still, as a rule

Replaces "but" with "still" and uses the idiomatic phrase "as a rule" for "ordinarily".

even so, customarily

Uses "even so" to indicate contrast and "customarily" for the usual practice.

nonetheless, habitually

Substitutes "but" with "nonetheless", indicating a stronger contrast, and replaces "ordinarily" with "habitually".

in spite of that, commonly

Employs "in spite of that" to convey contrast and "commonly" for the usual occurrence.

despite that, frequently

Uses "despite that" for contrast and "frequently" for the usual incidence.

regardless, invariably

Replaces "but" with "regardless", showing a lack of concern for the previous statement, and "ordinarily" with "invariably", indicating something that happens almost always.

FAQs

How can I use "but ordinarily" in a sentence?

"But ordinarily" introduces a contrast to a general expectation. For example: "The weather is usually warm, "but ordinarily" we get some rain in the afternoons."

What phrases can I use instead of "but ordinarily"?

You can use alternatives like "however usually", "yet typically", or "though generally" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "but" and "ordinarily" together?

While "but" and "ordinarily" can sometimes seem repetitive, their combination emphasizes that what follows is an exception to the norm. The redundancy, if any, often serves to strengthen the contrast.

What's the difference between "but usually" and "but ordinarily"?

While similar, "but ordinarily" suggests a slightly more formal or established expectation than "but usually". "But usually" is more general, whereas "but ordinarily" implies a convention or established pattern.