ordinarily formal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ordinarily formal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, style, or behavior that is typically characterized by formality but may not always be so. Example: "The meeting was ordinarily formal, with everyone dressed in business attire and adhering to strict protocols."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In its response to Mr. Cummings last week, Mattel said that retailers had returned 70percentt of the toy blood-pressure cuffs, a rate it said was "significantly higher than the overall return rate ordinarily achieved in formal recalls".

The New York Times

Under the terms of the victims' right to review policy, the formal request must ordinarily be lodged within five working days of the publication of the CPS's decision.

The Guardian

"Lady" is ordinarily used as a less formal alternative to the full title of a countess, viscountess, or baroness; where the name is territorial, the "of " is dropped thus the Vicountess of A. but Lady A. The daughters of dukes, marquesses, and earls also have, by courtesy, the title of lady prefixed to their forename and surname e.g., Lady Jane Grey.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The prefix "lord" is ordinarily used as a less formal alternative to the full title (whether held by right or by courtesy) of marquess, earl, or viscount and is always so used in the case of a peerage baron (particularly in the peerage of Scotland, where it remains the only correct usage at all times).

Encyclopedia Britannica

United Kingdom From stylebook: This formal name is not ordinarily used except in quotations, or in contexts requiring emphasis on Northern Ireland's status.

The New York Times

While corn products were eaten regularly in the 19th century, they wouldn't ordinarily have been served at a formal dinner.

Huffington Post

Therefore, as we have previously stated in the setting of paraganglioma, 6 we do not believe that specialized consent or formal genetic counseling would ordinarily be required before IHC is performed.

American Journal of Surgical Pathology

Bonds usually indicate a debt of substantial size and are issued in more formal fashion than promissory notes, ordinarily under seal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Confession of faith, formal statement of doctrinal belief ordinarily intended for public avowal by an individual, a group, a congregation, a synod, or a church; confessions are similar to creeds, although usually more extensive.

Britannica

Equivalent preparation to SPAN 140, 142, or 145 may be demonstrated by the test scores indicated below under "Language Courses and Placement Procedures". Students with no previous formal or informal Spanish study ordinarily enroll in SPAN 110.

Yale University

There are various islands that lie in the sea lochs such as Eilean Bàn and Eilean Donan that might not ordinarily be described as "Hebridean" but no formal definitions exist.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ordinarily formal" to describe situations or events that are typically formal but may, on occasion, be less so. This acknowledges that there can be exceptions to the rule.

Common error

Avoid using "ordinarily formal" when the situation is always formal. The phrase implies a degree of variability that may not exist. If something is consistently formal, simply state that it is "formal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ordinarily formal" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun or verb phrase to indicate a qualified degree of formality. Given Ludwig AI's assessment, the phrase suggests a state that is generally formal but not invariably so.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ordinarily formal" is grammatically correct and functions as an adverb-adjective combination to describe something that is generally, but not always, formal. As Ludwig AI notes, it suggests a state with a qualified degree of formality. While examples are currently unavailable, related phrases like "usually formal" or "typically formal" can serve as close alternatives. When using "ordinarily formal", it's crucial to ensure that there is indeed a possibility of deviation from formality to avoid overstating the case.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

usually formal

Emphasizes the typical or expected formality.

typically formal

Highlights the customary nature of the formality.

generally formal

Indicates a widespread but not absolute formality.

commonly formal

Suggests that formality is a frequent occurrence.

customarily formal

Focuses on the established practice of formality.

normally formal

Implies that formality is the standard condition.

in most cases formal

Acknowledges exceptions to the formality.

under normal circumstances formal

Highlights the conditional nature of the formality.

formally, as a rule

Rephrases the concept using an adverbial phrase.

more often than not formal

Indicates a higher probability of formality.

FAQs

How can I use "ordinarily formal" in a sentence?

You can use "ordinarily formal" to describe events or situations that are usually formal but may sometimes be less so. For example: "The meetings were "usually formal", but today's session was more relaxed".

What's a good alternative to "ordinarily formal"?

Alternatives include "typically formal", "generally formal", or "usually formal", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "usually formal" instead of "ordinarily formal"?

Yes, "usually formal" is a correct and often interchangeable alternative to "ordinarily formal". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What is the difference between "ordinarily formal" and "always formal"?

"Ordinarily formal" implies that something is usually formal but not always, whereas "always formal" indicates that something is formal without exception. Choose "ordinarily formal" when there are occasional deviations from formality.