less ordinary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less ordinary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not typical or common, often implying that it is special or unique in some way. Example: "Her artwork is truly less ordinary, standing out in a sea of conventional pieces."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

A really very nice hour less ordinary.

The Guardian

Low point A Life Less Ordinary.

The Guardian - Film

film, "A Life Less Ordinary") has a gentle guitar intro.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Just to feel your life is a little less ordinary?

The New York Times

Members of Faithless have two songs on the soundtrack to the film, "A Life Less Ordinary".

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Q How then do you make affordable seem, well, less ordinary?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Their appeal, aside from the less-ordinary gray, is that they come with satin lapels or piped ones.

The New York Times

It's a neat irony that our desire for less-ordinary living has put self-catering at the cutting edge of tourism.

The Guardian - Travel

Less ordinary, however, are the daily dialogue sessions, where Israeli and Palestinian campers heatedly discuss their identities, homelands, politics, and pain.

Harvard University

Bucking the trend after Trainspotting, Boyle took off to America to make A Life Less Ordinary.

Independent

High hopes are entertained of this team's new film, "A Life Less Ordinary"."The Full Monty" by Peter Cattaneo, also finds a universal theme in a British setting.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less ordinary" to subtly convey that something stands out without being overly dramatic. It's effective in contexts where you want to suggest uniqueness with understatement.

Common error

Avoid pairing "less ordinary" with superlatives or intensifiers (e.g., "very less ordinary"). This creates redundancy because the phrase already implies a degree of exceptionality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less ordinary" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It serves to describe something that deviates from the standard or typical, implying a degree of uniqueness or exceptionality. As Ludwig AI explains, it can be used to describe something that is not typical or common, often implying that it is special or unique in some way.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less ordinary" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase that describes something as being somewhat unique or exceptional. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides examples across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Academia. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to avoid redundancy by not pairing it with intensifiers. Consider alternatives like "more unique" or "more exceptional" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Overall, "less ordinary" is a reliable choice for subtly suggesting that something stands out from the norm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more unique

Emphasizes the distinctiveness of something compared to the standard.

more exceptional

Highlights the rarity and outstanding nature of something.

more remarkable

Focuses on the noteworthiness and impressiveness of something.

more unconventional

Indicates a departure from established norms or customs.

more singular

Stresses the one-of-a-kind quality of something.

more distinctive

Points out the easily recognizable and different features of something.

out of the ordinary

Indicates that something is unusual or not commonplace.

somewhat unique

Indicates a moderate degree of uniqueness.

slightly different

Emphasizes a minor deviation from the norm.

a bit special

Suggests something possesses a quality that sets it apart.

FAQs

How can I use "less ordinary" in a sentence?

You can use "less ordinary" to describe something that is unique or exceptional. For example, "She sought a life "less ordinary" than her peers".

What's a good alternative to "less ordinary"?

Alternatives include "more unique", "more exceptional", or "out of the ordinary" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less ordinary"?

Yes, "less ordinary" is grammatically correct. It is used to indicate that something is not as common or typical as something else.

What is the difference between "ordinary" and "less ordinary"?

"Ordinary" describes something that is common or typical, while "less ordinary" describes something that deviates from the norm to a certain extent but is perhaps not entirely exceptional.