ordinary situations

USAGE SUMMARY

"ordinary situations" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it to describe a mundane situation or a regular occurrence. For example, "I'm used to dealing with ordinary situations at the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Her lyrics make ordinary situations seem even more ordinary.

The Guardian - Music

What interests Elsschot is the drama latent in apparently ordinary situations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Her work often presents in a comical yet macabre manner the destructiveness latent in ordinary situations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

You're raising questions, putting ordinary situations in front of people and shining new light on them.

The Guardian - Arts

Neuroticism You tend to experience negative feelings and to interpret ordinary situations as threatening.

MIT Technology Review

Ordinary situations mesh with hallucinations, sometimes comically, sometimes menacingly, on a peeling grey set – like some mental dungeon.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

But this is no ordinary situation.

The Guardian

It is said that Williams's speciality was to satirize the ordinary man in a seemingly ordinary situation.

The New Yorker

Rich's special genius is his ability to nest an absurd premise in an otherwise ordinary situation.

The Washington Post

Tine reason for this extra ordinary situation, as might be expected, is the relatively low supply of trained female en gineers.

The New York Times

Others argue, however, that transitional justice works in a radically different context; for example, the threat that a carefully-brokered peace may break down presents issues that do not arise in the ordinary situation.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ordinary situations" when you want to emphasize the lack of uniqueness or exceptional qualities of a scenario. It's effective for contrasting with extraordinary or unusual events.

Common error

Avoid using "ordinary situations" when the context already clearly implies normalcy. For example, instead of saying "In ordinary everyday situations", simply use "In everyday situations" to prevent redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ordinary situations" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It refers to commonplace, typical, or unremarkable events or circumstances. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is used to describe scenarios lacking exceptional or unusual qualities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ordinary situations" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that describes commonplace or unremarkable events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its broad applicability across various contexts, notably in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When writing, it's crucial to avoid redundancy and use the phrase judiciously, especially when contrasting it with extraordinary events. Alternatives such as "everyday circumstances" or "typical scenarios" can provide subtle variations in meaning. Remember to consider the context to decide is it better to use "everyday situations".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

normal events

Emphasizes the absence of unusual or extraordinary elements.

everyday circumstances

Focuses on situations that are part of daily life.

usual circumstances

Highlights the normalcy and lack of deviation from the norm.

common occurrences

Emphasizes the frequency and lack of uniqueness of the events.

commonplace events

Focuses on the ordinary and unoriginal nature of events.

typical scenarios

Highlights the representativeness of the situations.

routine events

Stresses the repetitive and predictable nature of the situations.

standard conditions

Implies situations conforming to an established norm or expectation.

day-to-day affairs

Highlights the situations that constitutes everyday activities and routines.

mundane circumstances

Emphasizes the boring and uninteresting nature of the situations.

FAQs

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

You can use "ordinary situations" to describe commonplace or unremarkable scenarios. For example, "Even in "ordinary situations", people can show great courage."

What are some synonyms for "ordinary situations"?

Alternatives include "everyday circumstances", "typical scenarios", or "commonplace events", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "ordinary everyday situations"?

Yes, saying "ordinary everyday situations" is often redundant. It's better to choose either "ordinary situations" or "everyday situations", as both convey the same meaning.

What's the difference between "ordinary situations" and "extraordinary situations"?

"Ordinary situations" refer to common, unremarkable events, while "extraordinary situations" describe rare, exceptional, or unusual events. The contrast highlights the degree of deviation from the norm.