ordinarily nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ordinarily nothing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that, in most cases or under normal circumstances, there is a lack of something or no significant outcome. Example: "In the end, after all the discussions and debates, the result was ordinarily nothing of consequence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ordinarily nothing wipes the smile from the face of the South African, but this did the trick.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There are a lot of stinkers in the world and a lot of oppressed people, and ordinarily we do nothing about it unless American interests are directly ­threatened.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Musonza ordinarily considers himself nothing more than a flyspeck within the hinges of power, but Saturday was election day here, the people's day, his day.

The New York Times

Ordinarily, there is nothing cheerful about being cheap.

BBC

But some of these people have become locally famous, like the Naked Cowboy, and ordinarily they are nothing worse than a nuisance.

Vice

Ordinarily, such salvors get nothing unless the salvage is to some degree successful.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ordinarily, this would be nothing but a joyous event, signifying the boy's ascent into manhood.

The New York Times

Many readers conclude that Descartes' standards of justification are too high, for they have the consequence that almost nothing we ordinarily count as knowledge measures up.

SEP

Saddled with this part, Ms. Robins, ordinarily terrific, comes up with nothing to illuminate the character beyond her shrill self-involvement.

The New York Times

Ordinarily, I prefer minimalist hamburgers, with nothing to interfere with the direct experience of the meat itself.

The New York Times

With all those carjackings on the coast road — " "Ordinarily I'd agree with you, but there's nothing especially African about going for a swim in a creek.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ordinarily nothing" to emphasize that a particular result or outcome is absent or lacking under normal, expected circumstances. It adds a layer of expectation to the statement.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "ordinarily nothing" can sound somewhat clunky or verbose in formal contexts. Consider using more concise alternatives like "usually nothing" or "typically nothing" for a smoother flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ordinarily nothing" functions as an adverbial modifier combined with a noun phrase. It indicates the typical or expected state of affairs, emphasizing the absence of something under normal conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ordinarily nothing" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express that something is typically absent or lacking under normal circumstances. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability, while suggesting that it appears most frequently in news and media, encyclopedia and scientific contexts. While not exceptionally common, it serves a distinct purpose in setting expectations and contrasting typical scenarios with unusual ones. When using this phrase, be mindful of its slightly formal tone and consider simpler alternatives like "usually nothing" for improved conciseness in some contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

usually nothing

Replaces 'ordinarily' with 'usually', a more common synonym, indicating typical absence.

typically nothing

Substitutes 'ordinarily' with 'typically', emphasizing the standard expectation of absence.

normally nothing

Uses 'normally' in place of 'ordinarily', denoting a standard state of lacking something.

generally nothing

Replaces 'ordinarily' with 'generally', suggesting a common but not absolute absence.

in most cases nothing

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the lack in the majority of situations.

under normal circumstances nothing

Adds specificity by highlighting that the absence is conditional on typical situations.

as a rule nothing

Employs 'as a rule' to indicate that the absence is a common pattern.

in the usual course of events nothing

Provides a more elaborate way of expressing the typical lack of something.

by and large nothing

Replaces 'ordinarily' with 'by and large', indicating a general absence with possible exceptions.

for the most part nothing

Uses 'for the most part' to convey that the absence is true in the majority of instances.

FAQs

How can I use "ordinarily nothing" in a sentence?

You can use "ordinarily nothing" to indicate that something is absent or lacking under normal circumstances. For example, "Ordinarily nothing of importance happens here, but today was different."

What are some alternatives to "ordinarily nothing"?

Alternatives include "usually nothing", "typically nothing", or "normally nothing". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "ordinarily nothing" formal or informal?

"Ordinarily nothing" is generally considered neutral in tone. While grammatically correct, using simpler alternatives like "usually nothing" might be preferable in very formal writing.

What's the difference between "ordinarily nothing" and "absolutely nothing"?

"Ordinarily nothing" implies that something is absent under normal circumstances, whereas "absolutely nothing" suggests a complete absence in any situation. The former allows for exceptions, while the latter does not.