differ from the norm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "differ from the norm" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not typical or standard, highlighting a deviation from what is commonly accepted or expected. Example: "Her artistic style tends to differ from the norm, making her work stand out in the gallery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

They seem to be wired differently and have developmental trajectories that differ from the norm.

HuffPost

While white, middle class men may be oblivious to their inherited advantages, those who differ from the norm are always being made aware of their difference, whether it is because of the street harassment endured by young women or the fact that people with foreign-sounding names have to lodge more than 60% more applications to get hired as their Anglo-Celtic rivals.

The Guardian

And here's where things get exciting and differ from the norm.

The Guardian

Meiksins and Whalley take on cultural myths that serve to marginalize those whose careers differ from the norm.

Cornell University

We cannot know how they differ from the norm without a great deal of data from the families who will never trouble social work departments.

The Guardian - Opinion

Anomaly detection, which aims to find scenarios that differ from the norm, is of particular importance when analyzing remotely sensed data.

Remote Sensing of Environment

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The power in gender relations could be changed and differ from the norms in the old country.

BMC Family Practice

His team-management style also differs from the norm.

The Economist

Of searching the grass stalks for varieties of butterfly that differed from the norm.

Independent

I'm a gay man in my early 20s and, for as long as I can remember, my tastes have differed from the norm.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Yet in the respects that Batman v Superman differs from the norm, it has quite a lot to say, albeit not all of it egalitarian or hugely consistent.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "differ from the norm" to clearly indicate a distinction or deviation from standard practices or expectations, ensuring your audience understands the specific point of divergence. Emphasize the importance of the difference.

Common error

Avoid using "differ from the norm" vaguely. Always provide context to clarify how something differs and why that difference is significant. For example, instead of saying "This approach differs from the norm", specify: "This approach differs from the norm by prioritizing preventative measures, resulting in a 20% reduction in incidents".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differ from the norm" functions as a verb phrase describing how something deviates or varies from a standard or typical expectation. It serves to highlight a distinction or non-conformity as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

48%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "differ from the norm" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a deviation from standard practices or expectations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, from academic and scientific writing to news and general discourse. While it is generally neutral in tone, remember to provide sufficient context to clarify the nature and significance of the difference. Alternatives like ""deviate from the standard"" or ""vary from the usual"" can be used for semantic variety. To enhance your writing, always specify how and why something "differs from the norm" to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deviate from the standard

This alternative emphasizes a departure from an established benchmark or expectation.

vary from the usual

This option highlights a contrast with common practices or occurrences.

diverge from the average

This suggests a movement away from a central or typical value.

stand out from the crowd

This phrase indicates a noticeable distinction from a larger group.

break with tradition

This implies a deliberate departure from established customs or practices.

go against the grain

This suggests acting in opposition to prevailing attitudes or norms.

defy convention

This implies a challenge to accepted rules or standards.

be an exception to the rule

This denotes a case that does not conform to a general principle.

contrast with the typical

This emphasizes a difference when compared to what is common.

fly in the face of convention

This alternative suggests a bold contradiction of traditional norms.

FAQs

How can I use "differ from the norm" in a sentence?

You can use "differ from the norm" to describe anything that deviates from established standards or expectations. For example: "Her artistic style tends to "differ from the norm", making her work stand out in the gallery".

What are some alternatives to "differ from the norm"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "deviate from the standard", "vary from the usual", or "diverge from the average".

Is it better to say "differ from the norm" or "different from the norm"?

While both phrases are understandable, "differ from the norm" is typically used to describe an action or process that is not typical, whereas "different from the norm" describes a state of being that is not typical.

What does it mean when something is said to "go against the grain" compared to "differ from the norm"?

While both indicate deviation, "go against the grain" implies a stronger sense of opposition or resistance to the prevailing attitudes or norms, while ""differ from the norm"" simply indicates a difference without necessarily implying opposition.