do not ordinarily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not ordinarily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not typically or usually the case. Example: "We do not ordinarily allow exceptions to our policy, but we will consider special circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

TEXANS do not ordinarily think of themselves as seafarers.

The Economist

HOLLYWOOD film directors do not ordinarily take time out to plug books by distinguished Oxford historians.

The Economist

Americans do not ordinarily take much of a shine to hapless losers.

The Guardian - Books

Global and domestic affairs do not ordinarily touch Zhou, who has never paid for a newspaper.

The New Yorker

Stoppard's twin heroes are clearly involved in "a series of actions which we do not ordinarily associate with a game".

The New Yorker

These strains do not ordinarily mate with each other, and their hybrid offspring tend to show abnormal growth.

The Economist

While jurors' names are a matter of public record, news organizations do not ordinarily name jurors while they are deliberating.

The New York Times

I do not ordinarily support civil unrest to make one's point, but in Iran's case, I will make an exception.

The New York Times

In nature, juvenile salmon do not ordinarily encounter them until they are large enough to survive a modest infestation.

The New York Times - Science

I come from an ordinary family... ...... Made suspicious by this – ordinary people do not ordinarily describe themselves as ordinary – I looked him up on Wikipedia.

Independent

In rare cases, ectopic production of GH (production by tumour cells in tissues that do not ordinarily synthesize GH) causes an excess of the hormone.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do not ordinarily" to indicate that something is an exception to the general rule or expected behavior. It's suitable for formal writing and adds a nuanced level of precision.

Common error

While "do not ordinarily" is correct, avoid overusing formal phrases in informal contexts. Over-formality can make your writing sound stilted. In casual conversations, simpler alternatives like "usually" or "typically" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not ordinarily" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree or manner in which an action or situation occurs. It specifies that something is not the usual or typical case. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in modifying verbs and clauses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do not ordinarily" is a versatile phrase used to express that something is not typical or usual. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in a variety of contexts, including News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias. While it carries a slightly formal tone, it is appropriate for general use when precision is needed. When a more casual tone is preferred, alternatives like "do not usually" or "rarely" may be more suitable. Avoid overuse in informal settings to prevent your writing from sounding stilted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do not usually

This is a direct synonym, replacing "ordinarily" with "usually" for a slightly less formal tone.

do not typically

Similar to "do not usually", this alternative uses "typically" to convey the sense of something not being the norm.

are not normally

This uses a passive construction with "normally" to express the same concept.

are not generally

This uses a passive construction with "generally" to express the same concept.

not commonly

This alternative uses "commonly" to emphasize that something is not a frequent occurrence.

not frequently

This alternative uses "frequently" to emphasize that something is not a frequent occurrence.

rarely

This is a concise alternative, using the adverb "rarely" to indicate infrequent occurrence.

seldom

Similar to "rarely", "seldom" implies infrequent occurrence but can sound more formal or archaic.

are not habitually

This uses a passive construction with "habitually" to convey the sense of something not being a usual habit.

do not as a rule

This alternative uses "as a rule" to explicitly state a general exception or a standard practice.

FAQs

How can I use "do not ordinarily" in a sentence?

The phrase "do not ordinarily" is used to indicate that something does not usually happen or is not the typical course of action. For example, "We "do not ordinarily" process refunds after 30 days."

What can I say instead of "do not ordinarily"?

You can use alternatives like "do not usually", "do not typically", or "rarely" depending on the context.

Is "do not ordinarily" formal or informal?

"Do not ordinarily" is considered a more formal expression. In informal contexts, phrases like "usually" or "normally" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "do not ordinarily" and "do not usually"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "do not ordinarily" carries a slightly more formal tone than "do not usually". The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.