nontraditional

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nontraditional" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that does not conform to established customs or practices, often in contexts like education, art, or lifestyle choices. Example: "She chose a nontraditional approach to her education, opting for online courses instead of attending a conventional university."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The agency has already lost one case brought by Almaty city hall, which claimed the poster violated "moral values" by showing "nontraditional sexual relations, which are unacceptable to society".

The Guardian

have touted their efforts to recruit candidates in nontraditional districts like Kansas' 2nd and Nebraska's 1st and 2nd districts.

The Economist

Wonder what they have to say... ......By and large, your campaign's web, e-mail, text and other nontraditional strategies have been brilliant.

The Economist

Finally, the nontraditional version of Platonism developed by Resnik and Shapiro is known as structuralism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Brown studied with painter and collagist Ray Yoshida and art historian Whitney Halstead, both of whom encouraged him to look to non-Western and nontraditional artists and art forms for inspiration.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This nontraditional harmonic tension is an aspect of the breakdown of normal Classical ways of establishing tonality, for which the 19th century (and Wagner in particular) is largely responsible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Evidence is similarly mixed with regard to gender equality in access to high-quality education and opportunities to enter nontraditional fields of study.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A collection of poems in nontraditional forms, Yobuko no fue (1912; "Whistle and Flute"), shows some influence of anarchistic and socialistic thought.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The nontraditional distorting machines can burst leaf cells so thoroughly that in many cases they render the withering stage unnecessary.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He varied text alignments, spaced lines irregularly, and used nontraditional capitalization to emphasize particular words and phrases.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Interest in Buddhism and other Eastern religions was rekindled in California in the 1990s as a result of both an influx in the Asian population and the search among baby boomers for nontraditional belief systems.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing fields or industries, use "nontraditional" to indicate a shift away from established methods or products. For example, "nontraditional agricultural products" or "nontraditional marketing strategies".

Common error

Avoid using "nontraditional" when the context already implies a deviation from norms. For example, instead of saying "nontraditional experimental art", simply say "experimental art" if the art form is already understood as unconventional.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "nontraditional" functions to qualify nouns, indicating a deviation from established customs, norms, or practices. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use in describing various subjects, such as "nontraditional sexual relations", "nontraditional districts", or "nontraditional strategies".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

44%

News & Media

24%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "nontraditional" is frequently used to describe something that deviates from established norms or customs. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Its versatility allows it to be applied in various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and academic discussions. While alternatives like "unconventional" or "innovative" may sometimes be more fitting, it's crucial to avoid redundancy by not using "nontraditional" when the context already implies deviation from the norm. Understanding these nuances ensures precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unconventional

Emphasizes a departure from accepted norms or standards, often implying a deliberate choice to be different.

unorthodox

Highlights a deviation from established doctrines or beliefs, particularly in religious or academic contexts.

innovative

Focuses on the introduction of new ideas, methods, or products, emphasizing creativity and progress.

alternative

Suggests a choice or option that differs from the mainstream or conventional approach.

avant-garde

Implies a radical or experimental approach, often associated with artistic or cultural movements.

uncommon

Highlights the rarity or infrequency of something, indicating it's not typically encountered.

eccentric

Suggests a peculiar or unusual behavior or style, often seen as charming or amusing.

irregular

Indicates a deviation from a consistent pattern or norm, often in a quantifiable or measurable way.

atypical

Describes something that doesn't conform to the usual type or pattern.

radical

Suggests a fundamental or extreme departure from traditional norms or practices.

FAQs

How can I use "nontraditional" in a sentence?

"Nontraditional" is an adjective used to describe something that deviates from established customs or practices. For example, "She opted for a "nontraditional approach" to education by enrolling in online courses."

What are some alternatives to the word "nontraditional"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "unconventional", "unorthodox", or "innovative".

Is there a difference between "nontraditional" and "untraditional"?

While both words convey a departure from tradition, "nontraditional" is the more commonly used and widely accepted term. "Untraditional" is less frequent but can serve as a synonym.

In what contexts is "nontraditional" most frequently used?

"Nontraditional" is often used in contexts such as education, art, business, and family structures to describe approaches or concepts that differ from the norm.