ordinary game

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ordinary game" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a game that is typical or unremarkable, often in contrast to something extraordinary or exceptional. Example: "The tournament featured an ordinary game that didn't attract much attention from the spectators."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

That this was no ordinary game was apparent early.

The New York Times - Sports

One game does not usually lead to changes, but this was no ordinary game.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a typical moment in an ordinary game on an average day for a major league catcher.

The New York Times - Sports

That feature did not change throughout what was an ordinary game played out before a record crowd of 26,002.

The Guardian - Sport

Carter's ordinary game continued when his kick-off to start the second-half failed to travel ten metres.

The Guardian - Sport

Sometimes Danto's obsession with indiscernibles evolves into a more ordinary game: why is one thing different from another?

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Ordinary games: No whistles, no officials, just the tried-and-true honor system that has worked for decades.

The New York Times - Sports

The biggest cultural shift is [in] the number of people who play rather ordinary games," he says, citing the likes of Candy Crush and Flappy Bird.

The Guardian - Tech

But I've seen Monaghan have at least two ordinary games, in Warrington's home defeats by Hull and especially the Catalans.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr Harsanyi cut through the mist, by showing that games in which players are not well informed about each other can be analysed in almost the same way as ordinary games.When some players have information that others do not, their strategies can alter their reputations to their advantage.

The Economist

Because it's often insisted that St . Petersburg as described, is not suited for considerations given for ordinary games, thinking sensibly about it requires modifications in the way it would work modifications we would expect if this game were really offered in casinos.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ordinary game" to contrast with an exceptional or unusual game. For example, "After a series of exciting matches, the final was an ordinary game that lacked the same intensity."

Common error

Avoid using "ordinary game" in highly formal or academic writing. Instead, opt for more precise and professional terms like "typical match" or "standard competition".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ordinary game" functions as an adjective-noun phrase. The adjective "ordinary" modifies the noun "game", describing its typical or unremarkable nature. As Ludwig AI's analysis suggests, the phrase describes routine sporting events or contests.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ordinary game" is an adjective-noun phrase used to describe a typical or unremarkable sporting event. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and primarily found in News & Media contexts. While the phrase is acceptable, writers should consider the register and context to avoid overuse in formal settings, opting for alternatives like "typical match" or "routine contest" for more professional communication. The usage analysis shows that the phrase is uncommon, but not rare, with most instances appearing in News & Media, Wiki, and Science domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typical match

Replaces "game" with "match", implying a standard sporting event.

routine contest

Substitutes both "ordinary" and "game" with synonyms suggesting a common and unremarkable event.

standard play

Replaces "game" with "play", focusing on the actions within a game.

commonplace event

Uses more general terms to describe the game as a typical occurrence.

run-of-the-mill competition

Emphasizes the lack of uniqueness of the competition.

average sporting event

Emphasizes the fact that the event is typical and unremarkable.

usual pastime

Describes the game as a normal recreational activity.

regular competition

Uses "regular" to highlight the normalcy of the competition.

everyday match

Emphasizes the commonness of the sporting event.

basic gameplay

Focuses on the fundamental or standard way of playing the game.

FAQs

What does "ordinary game" mean?

An "ordinary game" refers to a typical or unremarkable game, often lacking exceptional or exciting qualities.

What can I say instead of "ordinary game"?

You can use alternatives like "typical match", "routine contest", or "standard play" depending on the specific context.

How do you use "ordinary game" in a sentence?

You can use "ordinary game" to describe a game that is not particularly exciting or noteworthy. For example, "Despite the hype, the match turned out to be an ordinary game."

What's the difference between "ordinary game" and "exhibition game"?

While an "ordinary game" is simply a typical game, an "exhibition game" is a game played for demonstration or entertainment purposes, often not counting towards official standings.