normal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "normal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is typical, standard, or expected in a given context. Example: "It's normal to feel nervous before a big presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Opinion

Business

Travel

Education

Film

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not normal".

The New York Times - Sports

Because Republicans are trying, for the third time since he took office, to use economic blackmail to achieve a goal they lack the votes to achieve through the normal legislative process.

The New York Times

"In my normal way, I probably would have said, 'I'll look into it.' " Costa said Obeid began to lobby him about AWH within a month of him becoming a minister and he had a conversation with Obeid in which Obeid suggested a corruption complaint may be made against Schott.

The Guardian

We need a new "normal".

The New York Times

That's not normal.

The New York Times

When asked if he would read the currently unreleased pages into the congressional record, Paul demurred and said "we're going to try the normal legislative procedure first and see how that goes".

The Guardian

But normal service was resumed as goals from George Tucudean in the 28th minute and Johnnie Jackson in the 51st minute got the Addicks back to winning ways despite Dean Moxey pulling one back for the visitors, who remain in the bottom three.

The Guardian - Sport

It would appear that the paper picked up the Mail Online story and, against normal internal rules, did not attribute it to Mail Online.

The Guardian

Under normal circumstances, Iran, the most powerful Shia country in the region, treats all religious Iraqi Shia parties equally.

The Guardian - Opinion

The authors of the PLOS One study also published a paper in Obesity Facts (although, again, the study was small) showing that people whose weight fluctuated the most over the week were actually the most likely to keep their weight steady – perhaps because this is actually the normal rhythm of our weight.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's ridiculous that you cannot have a normal analogue watch".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing data distributions, use "normal" to indicate a Gaussian or bell-curve shape, highlighting symmetry and central tendency.

Common error

Avoid using "normal" when you mean "normative". "Normal" describes what is typical, while "normative" describes what should be or what is considered a standard of behavior. For example, instead of saying "It's normal to work overtime," say "It's becoming the norm to work overtime" or "Overtime is now considered standard practice."

Linguistic Context

The word "normal" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate conformity to a standard, pattern, or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests that something aligns with what is typical or usual within a given context. The provided examples showcase its use in various situations, from describing legislative processes to health conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Lifestyle

10%

Opinion

5%

Less common in

Business

3%

Travel

2%

Education

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "normal" is a versatile adjective indicating conformity to a standard, pattern, or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media. It's crucial to differentiate "normal" from "normative," which describes standards of behavior rather than typicality. Alternatives include "typical", "usual", and "ordinary", each offering nuanced meanings. To ensure effective communication, remember to use "normal" when describing something that aligns with established standards, and consult the examples above to see it used in authentic, real-world contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typical

Emphasizes conformity to a common type or pattern.

usual

Highlights what is commonly or regularly occurring.

ordinary

Focuses on the lack of exceptional or distinctive qualities.

standard

Implies adherence to an established measure or model.

average

Refers to the typical or expected value within a range.

regular

Suggests consistency and conformity to a rule or habit.

common

Indicates something frequently encountered or widely prevalent.

conventional

Stresses adherence to accepted norms and practices.

healthy

Specifically relates to a state of good health, both physically and mentally.

well

Similar to healthy, often referring to a state of being free from illness.

FAQs

How can I use "normal" in a sentence?

The word "normal" is used to describe something that is typical, standard, or expected. For instance, you might say, "It's normal to feel nervous before a job interview" or "The weather is back to normal after the storm".

What's a good substitute for the word "normal"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "typical", "usual", "ordinary", "standard", or "common". For example, instead of "a normal day", you could say "a typical day" or "an ordinary day".

When is it appropriate to use "normal" versus "average"?

"Normal" and "average" are similar, but "normal" often implies a state of being or a condition, while "average" is a statistical measure. For example, you might say, "His temperature is normal", indicating he's not sick, but "The average temperature in July is 30°C", referring to a calculated value.

Is it correct to say "new normal"?

Yes, "new normal" is a commonly used phrase to describe a situation or state that has become standard or expected, even though it was previously unusual or unprecedented. For example, "Working from home is the new normal for many employees".