it seems ordinary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems ordinary" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that appears to be typical or unremarkable in nature. Example: "At first glance, the painting seems ordinary, but upon closer inspection, it reveals intricate details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Language is such a basic part of our lives, it seems ordinary and transparent.

The New York Times

Beyond the state level, and in other countries where data is more readily available, it seems ordinary Africans are sometimes driving these relations.

Independent

It seems ordinary BMP was involved in the early stage of osteogenesis and BMP was main role in bone formation on 2 week.

Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Today it's an image of a bygone era, but at the time it seemed ordinary.

The Guardian - Arts

The villa, when she came to it, was charming, although it seemed ordinary in a country where every country house is distinguished.

The New Yorker

For example, you might find at first going out for a meal to be exciting and fun, but if you have to buy your meal everyday, it soon seems ordinary and loses interest.

WikiHow

It may seem ordinary, but I chose it precisely because it is so simple and so good.

The New York Times - Food

Ms. DeVoti's drama often seems ordinary too, or diffuse.

The New York Times

What initially seems ordinary becomes consistently and enthrallingly surprising.

The New York Times

"What your friend remarked?" At the time it had seemed ordinary enough that he should mention the complaint to someone else, that that terrible lunchtime should nag so, the wound of humiliation slow to heal.

The New Yorker

Though it never would have occurred to me or to my employer that anything we did that week could concern lawmakers miles away, it also seemed ordinary enough when, for my next job, wrapping Christmas gifts in a dress shop, my mother had to get me a Social Security card.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "it seems ordinary" with sensory details to enhance the sense of normalcy before subverting expectations. For example, "The coffee shop seemed ordinary, with its usual buzz and aroma, but the barista's eyes held a knowing glint."

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "it seems ordinary" as this can make your writing repetitive and lack dynamism. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems ordinary" functions as an evaluative expression. It sets up a subjective observation about something's apparent lack of exceptional qualities. This aligns with Ludwig's examples and its status as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it seems ordinary" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey an initial impression of something being unremarkable. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and finds frequent application across diverse sources, notably within news and media outlets. While suitable for a range of registers, its neutral tone lends itself well to establishing a baseline before introducing contrasting elements or hidden depths. If you want alternatives you can try "it appears typical", "it looks commonplace", or "it feels run-of-the-mill" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears typical

Replaces 'seems' with 'appears' and 'ordinary' with 'typical', slightly shifting the emphasis to commonality.

it looks commonplace

Substitutes 'seems' with 'looks' and 'ordinary' with 'commonplace', highlighting the visual impression of being unexceptional.

it feels run-of-the-mill

Uses 'feels' to express a subjective impression and 'run-of-the-mill' to emphasize lack of distinction.

it gives the impression of being average

Emphasizes the perceived characteristic of being neither exceptional nor deficient.

it comes across as unremarkable

Focuses on the perceived impact, indicating that it doesn't attract attention or interest.

it strikes one as pedestrian

Employs a more formal tone using 'strikes' and 'pedestrian' to denote a lack of originality.

it has a mundane quality

Highlights the boring nature using 'mundane', but the structure is changed.

it projects an image of normalcy

Emphasizes how it is interpreted rather than its nature.

it presents as conventional

Focuses on conformity to set standards rather than intrinsic ordinariness.

it suggests nothing extraordinary

Indicates the absence of notable or exceptional qualities.

FAQs

How can I use "it seems ordinary" in a sentence?

You can use "it seems ordinary" to describe something that initially appears unremarkable or typical. For instance, "At first, "it seems ordinary", but there's more to it than meets the eye".

What can I say instead of "it seems ordinary"?

You could use alternatives like "it appears typical", "it looks commonplace", or "it feels run-of-the-mill" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it seems ordinary"?

Yes, "it seems ordinary" is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used and accepted.

What is the difference between "it seems ordinary" and "it seemed ordinary"?

"It seems ordinary" describes something that currently gives an impression of being ordinary. "It seemed ordinary" describes something that gave that impression in the past.