not ordinary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not ordinary" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is unusual, exceptional, or different from the norm. Example: "Her talent for painting is not ordinary; it captivates everyone who sees her work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And not ordinary goals.

The New York Times - Sports

But Pakistan is not ordinary.

The Economist

These are not ordinary times".

The New Yorker

They were not ordinary patrolmen.

The New York Times

This is not ordinary.

The Guardian

College campuses, however, are not ordinary places.

The New Yorker

Correction: they are not ordinary suspects.

The Economist

Those, however, were not ordinary times.

Independent

But these are not ordinary times.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's not ordinary for a policeman".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

These are not ordinary-size volumes, either.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not ordinary", ensure that the context clearly establishes the baseline or norm against which the subject is being compared. This provides a stronger sense of contrast and highlights the exceptional nature of what you're describing.

Common error

Avoid using "not ordinary" in contexts where simpler alternatives like "uncommon" or "unusual" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not ordinary" functions primarily as an adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that the noun is different from what is typical or expected. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, showing its role in adding emphasis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not ordinary" is a versatile adjective phrase used to highlight the exceptional or unusual nature of something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase, most commonly found in news and media contexts. While effective, writers should avoid overuse in simple contexts and consider alternatives like "uncommon" or "unusual" for greater precision. Its effectiveness lies in emphasizing the contrast between the subject and what is typically expected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of the ordinary

Uses a slightly more verbose phrasing to convey the same meaning.

extraordinary

Suggests something beyond what is normally encountered.

not typical

Uses a more direct antonym to 'typical' to express something that is "not ordinary".

unusual

Highlights the rarity and unexpectedness of something.

uncommon

Focuses on the infrequency of occurrence, rather than the deviation from a standard.

remarkable

Emphasizes the noteworthiness and deserving of attention.

exceptional

Implies a higher level of quality or performance.

atypical

Highlights deviation from a typical pattern or characteristic.

unique

Focuses on the distinctiveness and unparalleled nature of something.

singular

Implies uniqueness and being one of a kind.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "not ordinary"?

You can use alternatives like "uncommon", "unusual", "exceptional", or "extraordinary" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "not ordinary" in a sentence?

You can use "not ordinary" to describe something that deviates from the norm or is exceptional. For example, "These are "not ordinary times"" or "Her talent is "not ordinary"".

Is it better to say "not ordinary" or "extraordinary"?

Both "not ordinary" and "extraordinary" are valid, but "extraordinary" is often more impactful. "Not ordinary" simply negates the expected, while "extraordinary" emphasizes exceptional quality or nature.

When is it appropriate to use "not ordinary"?

Use "not ordinary" when you want to highlight that something is different from the usual or expected. It's suitable for emphasizing the unique or exceptional qualities of a person, object, or situation.