normal circumstances

USAGE SUMMARY

"normal circumstances" is a correct phrase to use in written English.
You can use it to describe any situation or state of affairs that are considered normal or typical. For example, "Under normal circumstances, the office would be open on Saturdays, but due to the pandemic, it is closed until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Business

Politics

Opinion

Lifestyle

Academia

Medicine

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's normally open till 11 p.m., but we're not under normal circumstances".

The New York Times

Not under normal circumstances.

The Guardian - Travel

But these weren't normal circumstances.

The New Yorker

However, these weren't normal circumstances.

The Guardian - Sport

These were not normal circumstances.

The Guardian - Sport

Under normal circumstances, few would bother.

The Economist

That makes sense in normal circumstances.

The Economist

"Under normal circumstances, that would be great.

The New York Times

In normal circumstances, I probably would.

The Guardian - Travel

Which, in normal circumstances it would be.

The Guardian - Opinion

Under normal circumstances, expectations would be low.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "normal circumstances" to clearly indicate a departure from the expected or typical course of events. This helps set a contrast and emphasize the unusual nature of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "normal circumstances" to downplay potential risks or problems. Acknowledge that what seems normal might not always be predictable or safe, especially when making critical decisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "normal circumstances" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or clause, providing context about the typical or expected situation. Ludwig AI's analysis and examples confirm its role in setting a baseline or expectation against which other events are compared.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Travel

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "normal circumstances" is a versatile and frequently used expression that serves to describe situations that are typical or expected. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely employed across various contexts, from news and media to formal business settings. When writing, using "normal circumstances" helps establish a clear baseline, allowing you to effectively contrast it with unusual or unexpected events. Remember to avoid the normalcy bias, acknowledging that not all situations are as predictable as they may seem. By using appropriate alternatives like "typically" and "ordinarily", you can add nuance and clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under typical conditions

Replaces "circumstances" with "conditions" and "normal" with "typical", maintaining the core meaning of expected situations.

in usual situations

Substitutes "circumstances" with "situations" and "normal" with "usual", emphasizing the commonness of the scenario.

in ordinary times

Shifts the focus to the temporal aspect, replacing "circumstances" with "times" and "normal" with "ordinary", suggesting a period of normalcy.

in standard situations

Replaces "normal" with "standard", highlighting adherence to established norms.

typically

A shorter, adverbial form conveying the same sense of normalcy or expectation.

ordinarily

Another adverbial alternative that implies a state of regularity or common occurrence.

in the usual course of events

A more elaborate phrase that stresses the predictability of events under typical conditions.

under predictable conditions

Focuses on the predictability aspect of normal situations.

in expected scenarios

Uses "scenarios" instead of "circumstances", putting emphasis on events under predictable conditions

as a rule

Expresses what generally happens or is true, similar to what is expected under normal conditions

FAQs

How can I use "normal circumstances" in a sentence?

You can use "normal circumstances" to describe situations that are typical or expected. For example, "Under normal circumstances, the train would arrive on time."

What's a simpler way to say "normal circumstances"?

You can use alternatives like "typically" or "ordinarily" as shorter ways to convey the same idea.

When should I use "normal circumstances" instead of "usual conditions"?

Both "normal circumstances" and "usual conditions" are quite similar. "Normal circumstances" might be preferred when discussing social or situational contexts, while "usual conditions" might be more appropriate for describing physical or environmental contexts.

Is it correct to say "in normal circumstances" instead of "under normal circumstances"?

While both are understandable, "under normal circumstances" is the more idiomatic and commonly used phrase.