ordinary goods

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ordinary goods" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to common or everyday items that are not considered luxury or specialty products. Example: "The store specializes in selling ordinary goods that meet the needs of the average consumer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Companies are not owned by shareholders in the way that ordinary goods are owned.

The Economist

The features of public goods, Mr. Samuelson taught, stand in direct contrast to those of ordinary goods, like apples.

The New York Times

While the ordinary goods of daily life receive exacting attention from industrial designers, ergonomic experts and human behavior analysts, airport security artifacts are the products of casual indifference.

The New York Times

PARIS — France's "cultural exception" — the policy that creative works like books, music and movies deserve protection beyond what is accorded ordinary goods — is in line for a digital update.

The New York Times

On October 11th, President Jacques Chirac told the American-dominated international council of New York's Museum of Television and Radio that France refused "to consider cultural products like ordinary goods, subject solely to the law of the market".

The Economist

A prominent editor was attacked at knifepoint in February of last year; a seventy-three-year-old Hong Kong publisher was arrested and sentenced to ten years in prison on charges of "smuggling ordinary goods," but more likely for his willingness to publish a book entitled "Godfather of China Xi Jinping," which presented an unflattering dissection of the President.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Extraordinary, bad things happen to ordinary, good people.

The Guardian

People — even ordinary, good people — often change their behavior in radical ways.

The New York Times

Body sushi is by no means something that ordinary good citizens practice in Japan.

The New York Times

He never did anything out of the ordinary, good or bad".

The New York Times

The brute racism that today seems like mass social insanity was a "way of life" practiced by ordinary "good" people.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ordinary goods" to clearly distinguish common, everyday items from specialized or luxury products in economic, business, or general discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "ordinary goods" in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "everyday items" or "common things" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ordinary goods" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition, designating common, everyday items, as seen in Ludwig examples about international trade and consumerism. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ordinary goods" is a noun phrase used to refer to common, everyday items. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its primary function is to categorize commonplace items, often in contrast to specialized or luxury goods, appearing frequently in news, science, and business contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to professional registers. Related phrases include "everyday goods" and "common items". When writing, use "ordinary goods" to differentiate from specialty products and avoid using it in informal conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everyday goods

Focuses on the routine and common nature of the items.

common goods

Emphasizes the accessibility and widespread availability of the items.

regular goods

Highlights the standard and typical characteristics of the items.

typical goods

Stresses the representativeness and expected qualities of the items.

standard commodities

Uses a more formal term (commodities) for common items.

commonplace items

Focuses on the lack of uniqueness or special features of the goods.

consumer staples

Highlights goods that are essential for daily life.

basic merchandise

Refers to fundamental products available for sale.

run-of-the-mill products

Emphasizes the unexceptional and unremarkable nature of the goods.

conventional items

Highlights goods that follow established norms and customs.

FAQs

How can I use "ordinary goods" in a sentence?

You can use "ordinary goods" to describe common, everyday items that are not considered luxury or specialty products. For example, "The store specializes in selling "ordinary goods" that meet the needs of the average consumer."

What can I say instead of "ordinary goods"?

You can use alternatives like "everyday goods", "common items", or "standard products" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "ordinary goods" and "normal goods"?

"Ordinary goods" refers to common, everyday items. "Normal goods" is an economics term describing goods for which demand increases when income increases. The terms are not interchangeable.

Is it correct to say "ordinary good" instead of "ordinary goods"?

While grammatically, "ordinary good" can be correct when referring to a single item, ""ordinary goods"" is more commonly used to refer to a category of items. Consider the context to determine which is more appropriate.