is the norm

USAGE SUMMARY

'is the norm' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are referring to an accepted, expected, or common practice. For example, "It is the norm for all employees to wear a uniform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is the norm.

The New Yorker

Change is the norm.

The New York Times

Nudity is the norm.

The New York Times - Travel

Overcrowding is the norm.

The Economist

But mediocrity is the norm.

The New York Times

Crushing poverty is the norm.

The New York Times

Collaboration is the norm.

The Guardian - Film

This is the norm.

The Guardian - Tech

Failure is the norm.

The Guardian

Unpredictability is the norm.

The New York Times

In Israel it is the norm.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is the norm" when you want to indicate that a certain behavior, practice, or situation is the standard or common one within a specific context. It's best used when describing social behaviors, business practices, or general trends.

Common error

Avoid using "is the norm" without specifying the context. What might be considered normal in one situation could be unusual or inappropriate in another. Always provide enough context for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is the norm" functions as a predicate nominative, defining or classifying a subject by indicating that something is the usual or standard state of affairs. Ludwig AI examples show it frequently describes social behaviors, business practices, or general trends.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is the norm" is a versatile expression used to convey that a particular practice, behavior, or situation is standard or typical. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted. Occurring most frequently in News & Media sources, the expression carries a neutral tone, suitable for professional and even some formal contexts. When using "is the norm", remember to provide context to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "is commonplace" and "is standard practice" offer similar meanings but may slightly shift the emphasis. In conclusion, "is the norm" is a useful tool for establishing shared understanding and describing established patterns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is commonplace

Replaces "norm" with "commonplace", emphasizing ordinariness.

is standard practice

Substitutes "norm" with "standard practice", highlighting established procedure.

is typical

Uses "typical" instead of "norm", suggesting expected behavior.

is the usual thing

Rephrases using "usual thing", focusing on customary action.

is generally accepted

Emphasizes broad approval rather than just common occurrence.

is par for the course

Idiomatic expression meaning expected or typical, especially in a negative context.

is the order of the day

Focuses on what is currently prevalent or fashionable.

is the rule

Highlights that something is a general principle or regulation.

is to be expected

Suggests something should not be surprising given the circumstances.

is how things are done

Emphasizes the established way of performing tasks.

FAQs

How to use "is the norm" in a sentence?

You can use "is the norm" to describe a common practice or expectation within a specific group or situation. For example, "In this company, working overtime "is the norm"".

What can I say instead of "is the norm"?

You can use alternatives like "is commonplace", "is standard practice", or "is typical" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is the norm" or "is normal"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Is the norm" suggests a common or expected practice, while "is normal" describes something conforming to a standard or usual condition.

What's the difference between "is the norm" and "used to be the norm"?

"Is the norm" describes a current common practice, whereas "used to be the norm" indicates something that was common in the past but may no longer be.