not unusual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not unusual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is fairly common or expected, often in a context where one might assume it to be rare or surprising. Example: "It's not unusual for people to feel nervous before a big presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That was not unusual.

The New York Times

Now it's not unusual.

The New York Times

He was not unusual.

Independent

Ulm is not unusual.

The Economist

This was not unusual.

The New York Times - Sports

He is not unusual.

The New York Times - Health

This is not unusual.

The Economist

That is not unusual.

The New York Times

Reckless, maybe, but not unusual.

The New York Times

This, too, is not unusual.

The New Yorker

But they are not unusual.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not unusual" to downplay surprise or emphasize commonality. It's effective when addressing potentially unexpected situations.

Common error

While "not unusual" can be effective, avoid overuse. Over-reliance on understatement can weaken your writing. Use direct statements when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

"Not unusual" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is not out of the ordinary. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not unusual" is a versatile adjective phrase used to indicate that something is fairly common or expected. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "not unusual" is appropriate for many situations, it's important to be mindful of overuse and consider more direct language for clarity. Alternatives like "quite common" or "fairly typical" can also serve the same purpose. Understanding its function and purpose will allow you to use "not unusual" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite common

Emphasizes the prevalence of something.

fairly typical

Highlights that something aligns with the norm.

not uncommon

A direct synonym, but slightly more formal.

nothing out of the ordinary

Indicates a lack of exceptional or remarkable qualities.

perfectly normal

Suggests alignment with accepted standards or expectations.

to be expected

Highlights anticipation of a particular outcome or occurrence.

standard practice

Indicates something is a customary or established way of doing things.

nothing new

Implies that something has occurred before and is not surprising.

par for the course

Suggests something is typical or to be expected in a particular situation.

happens all the time

Emphasizes frequency and common occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "not unusual" in a sentence?

You can use "not unusual" to describe something that is fairly common or expected. For example, "It's "not unusual" to feel nervous before a presentation."

What are some alternatives to saying "not unusual"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "quite common", "fairly typical", or "nothing out of the ordinary".

Is "not unusual" the same as "uncommon"?

No, "not unusual" means something is common or expected, while "uncommon" means something is rare. They are opposites.

When is it appropriate to use "not unusual" instead of "common"?

"Not unusual" can be used when you want to emphasize that something is less surprising than it might seem at first glance. "Common" is a more direct statement of frequency.