is not unusual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not unusual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is common or expected, often in a context where one might assume it to be rare or surprising. Example: "In large cities, traffic congestion is not unusual during rush hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Ulm is not unusual.

The Economist

He is not unusual.

The New York Times - Health

This is not unusual.

The Economist

That is not unusual.

The New York Times

This, too, is not unusual.

The New Yorker

"But this is not unusual.

The New York Times

His reasoning is not unusual.

The New York Times

Such partisanship is not unusual.

The Economist

Complete nakedness is not unusual.

The New York Times - Arts

Such adoration is not unusual.

The New York Times - Sports

But it is not unusual.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not unusual" to gently suggest that something is more common than someone might think, softening potential surprise or concern. For instance, "It is not unusual for first-time founders to experience setbacks."

Common error

While versatile, avoid relying too heavily on "is not unusual" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "is common" or "is typical" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not unusual" functions as a descriptive comment, indicating that a particular situation, event, or characteristic is fairly common or typical. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound expression used to normalize observations. Examples from news and academic contexts show its widespread applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not unusual" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to express that something is relatively common or expected. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, to normalize events or characteristics. While suitable for a range of writing styles, it's best to consider more precise alternatives in highly formal contexts. Use it to provide reassurance, context, or information by suggesting alignment with established patterns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is quite common

Replaces "unusual" with its direct opposite, emphasizing ordinariness.

is fairly typical

Focuses on the representative nature of the subject.

is to be expected

Shifts the focus to anticipation and predictability.

is not out of the ordinary

Uses a more descriptive way to define something as "ordinary".

is commonplace

Highlights how often the subject appears in certain contexts.

is a common occurrence

Highlights the event as being one that often happens.

is frequently seen

Emphasizes the visual aspect of something common.

is nothing new

Suggests the subject has been occurring for a long time.

is par for the course

Idiomatic expression indicating something is typical in a specific situation.

falls within the norm

Indicates the subject is found in an accepted range of values or examples.

FAQs

What does "is not unusual" mean?

The phrase "is not unusual" means something is relatively common or to be expected. It implies that the subject in question isn't rare or surprising.

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

You can use alternatives like "is quite common", "is fairly typical", or "is to be expected" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "is not unusual" in writing?

The phrase "is not unusual" is appropriate in various contexts, from news articles and business reports to academic papers, to indicate that something is not surprising or rare.

How does "is not unusual" differ from "is unusual"?

"Is not unusual" implies something is common or expected, whereas "is unusual" suggests something is rare or surprising. The former normalizes, while the latter highlights the atypical.