is not extraordinary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not extraordinary" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is average or unremarkable in comparison to others. Example: "The performance was good, but it is not extraordinary compared to last year's show."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Ryan's life is not extraordinary".

The Guardian - Film

In this the case is not extraordinary.

Cornell University

But the country is not extraordinary; it's doing very poorly".

The New York Times

The picture show is not extraordinary, except for Copley who seems interesting.

Harvard University

The number of people killed is not extraordinary but the solidarity in New Zealand is extraordinary.

The Guardian

A fragment of diatom in the stratosphere is not extraordinary evidence for extraterrestrial life.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Which isn't to say there isn't extraordinary enjoyment to be had before then.

The Guardian - Tech

The celeb count isn't extraordinary, although Lennox Lewis got a good cheer as he strolled to his seat.

The Guardian - Sport

Apple's iPhone, for instance, is widely considered to be a "fast phone," but its processor (600 megahertz) isn't extraordinary.

Forbes

Perhaps this isn't extraordinary.

Huffington Post

Susie's story isn't extraordinary.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is not extraordinary", ensure that the context clearly indicates what standard you are comparing against. For example, "The sales figures are good, but they "is not extraordinary" compared to last quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "is not extraordinary" when a stronger, more direct negative statement is appropriate. Instead of saying "The food "is not extraordinary", it's better to say "The food is bland" or "The food is disappointing" if that's the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not extraordinary" functions as a negative descriptor. It's used to qualify a noun or situation, indicating that it lacks exceptional or remarkable qualities. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable and commonly used to express that something is average or unremarkable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not extraordinary" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something is average, typical, or lacks exceptional qualities. As Ludwig AI verifies, it's a versatile phrase found across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and scientific reports. While it effectively conveys a lack of exceptionalism, writers should consider stronger alternatives when a more direct negative statement is appropriate. The phrase's overall utility lies in its ability to manage expectations and provide a balanced assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not remarkable

Replaces "extraordinary" with "remarkable", emphasizing a lack of noticeable or outstanding qualities.

is not exceptional

Substitutes "extraordinary" with "exceptional", highlighting that something doesn't stand out from the norm.

is not outstanding

Uses "outstanding" instead of "extraordinary", suggesting that something fails to impress or excel.

is not unusual

Employs "unusual" to negate the idea of something being rare or uncommon.

is not uncommon

Similar to "is not unusual", but with a slightly different connotation of normalcy.

is quite ordinary

Replaces the negative construction with a positive statement about being "ordinary".

is fairly typical

Uses "typical" to indicate conformity to a standard or average.

is nothing special

A more informal way of saying something lacks exceptional qualities.

is run-of-the-mill

An idiomatic expression conveying ordinariness or lack of distinction.

does not stand out

Indicates that something blends in and doesn't attract attention due to its unique qualities.

FAQs

How can I use "is not extraordinary" in a sentence?

Use "is not extraordinary" to describe something that doesn't stand out or is unremarkable. For example: "The movie was enjoyable, but "is not extraordinary" compared to other films by the same director."

What can I say instead of "is not extraordinary"?

You can use alternatives like "is not remarkable", "is not exceptional", or "is quite ordinary" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "is not extraordinary" or "is ordinary"?

Both are correct, but "is not extraordinary" implies a comparison to something potentially better, while "is ordinary" simply states a lack of special qualities. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "is not extraordinary" and "is not unusual"?

"Is not extraordinary" implies a lack of exceptional quality or impressiveness, while "is not unusual" suggests that something is fairly common or typical. For example, a performance that "is not extraordinary" might still be good, but one that "is not unusual" simply lacks rarity.