in normal times

USAGE SUMMARY

"in normal times" is a valid phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to a time period when things are "normal", meaning not affected by a crisis, emergency, or other unusual circumstance. For example: "In normal times, the library would be full of students studying for exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In normal times, perhaps.

The Economist

That's exasperating in normal times.

The New York Times

"But we are not in normal times.

Independent

In normal times finance is generally available.

The Economist

Monetary policy for sure, in normal times.

The New York Times

Maintain the surplus in normal times.

The Guardian

That is politics, in normal times.

The Guardian - Opinion

In normal times, the Treasury rate is usually higher.

The New York Times

In normal times, this would seem blazingly fast.

The New York Times

Even in normal times the infrastructure falls short.

The New York Times

"In normal times, this would be a ludicrous question.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in normal times" to set a baseline expectation before contrasting it with the current, possibly unusual, situation. This helps highlight the deviation from the norm and emphasize the impact of the present circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "in normal times" when discussing purely hypothetical or speculative situations. The phrase implies a reference to a real, established norm, not an imagined one. Instead, use phrases like "under typical circumstances" or "ordinarily" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in normal times" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the typical or expected state of affairs. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it sets a baseline for comparison, often contrasting with present circumstances, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in normal times" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to establish a baseline or reference point for comparison. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use across various contexts. It's especially prevalent in News & Media, followed by Academia and Formal & Business settings. The phrase effectively highlights deviations from expected circumstances, emphasizing change or disruption. While versatile, it's best used when referring to real, established norms rather than hypothetical scenarios. Alternatives like "under typical circumstances" or "ordinarily" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under normal conditions

Replaces "times" with "conditions", focusing on the state of affairs.

under typical circumstances

Replaces "in normal times" with a more formal and descriptive phrase.

in ordinary circumstances

Substitutes "normal times" with "ordinary circumstances", keeping the same preposition.

in usual situations

Uses "usual situations" instead of "normal times" to denote common scenarios.

in standard situations

Uses "standard situations" instead of "normal times", implying a set of established norms.

typically

Offers a concise adverbial alternative, reducing the phrase to a single word.

generally speaking

Provides a broader perspective, indicating what usually happens.

as a rule

Offers a shorter, more direct way of expressing typical occurrences.

on average

Emphasizes statistical normality or expected values.

under the status quo

Focuses on the existing state of affairs and its implications.

FAQs

How can I use "in normal times" in a sentence?

You can use "in normal times" to contrast typical situations with current circumstances. For example, "In normal times, the commute would take 30 minutes, but today it's over an hour because of the accident."

What are some alternatives to saying "in normal times"?

Alternatives include phrases like "under typical circumstances", "ordinarily", or "under normal conditions", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to contrast "in normal times" with an abnormal situation?

While it's common to use "in normal times" to highlight a contrast, it can also be used to simply describe typical conditions. However, its impact is greatest when used to emphasize a change or deviation.

What's the difference between "in normal times" and "in ordinary times"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable, but "in normal times" may slightly emphasize a sense of established routine or expectation, while "in ordinary times" simply refers to typical or usual circumstances.