ordinary usage

USAGE SUMMARY

"ordinary usage" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is a term used to refer to the typical or accepted way of using words. For example, "The ordinary usage of the word 'dinner' usually implies an evening meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

The determination of "ordinary usage" is left to the courts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The ordinary usage of the term is clearly less wide.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Curved mirrors in ordinary usage have surfaces that are spherical, cylindrical, paraboloidal, ellipsoidal, and hyperboloidal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ordinary usage directs attention to the first-mentioned while virtually amputating the second.

The New York Times - Food

Tallis quotes one of the pioneers in the field: "Information, in this theory is used in a special sense that must not be confused with its ordinary usage.

The Guardian - Books

These émigrés made it their business to speak and write English that was not only grammatically correct but idiomatic beyond the requirements of ordinary usage.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Nothing in ordinary English usage compels an answer either way".

The Economist

Nothing in ordinary English usage compels us an answer either way".

The New Yorker

In ordinary philosophical usage, it is the concept that is the category, and the definitions define, in various ways, that concept.

The Guardian

Viewing this strange library, one could not, consistent with ordinary English usage, characterize the articles "as part of" a "revision" of the editions in which the articles first appeared.

The New York Times

"Abramski's uncle," he writes, "was not the 'person' to whom the gun was 's[old].'" The "plain language of the Act" makes that obvious; so does "ordinary English usage".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, compare and contrast "ordinary usage" with specialized or technical definitions to highlight nuances in meaning.

Common error

Don't assume that everyone shares the same understanding of "ordinary usage". Cultural background and field of expertise can significantly affect someone's interpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ordinary usage" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a complement or modifier within a sentence. It specifies that something is being considered in its common, everyday application. Ludwig AI confirms its standard grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis indicates that "ordinary usage" is a common phrase that refers to the standard or typical way a word or concept is used and understood. It frequently appears in legal, academic, and general writing to clarify intended meanings and prevent misinterpretations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound. Therefore, when precision is key, always consider whether you're aligning with "ordinary usage" or intentionally diverging from it. The top sources using this term are reputable news outlets, encyclopedias and science publications, indicating broad applicability and consistent meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

customary usage

Similar to "ordinary usage", emphasizing the habitual or traditional way something is used.

common parlance

Replaces "usage" with "parlance", emphasizing the way a word or phrase is commonly spoken.

standard interpretation

Focuses on the typical understanding or meaning attributed to something.

typical application

Highlights the usual or expected way something is used or put into practice.

conventional meaning

Emphasizes the established or agreed-upon definition of a term.

accepted practice

Indicates a widely recognized and approved method or way of doing something.

general understanding

Focuses on the widespread or common comprehension of a concept or idea.

prevailing sense

Highlights the most common or dominant meaning of a word or phrase.

established norm

Indicates a standard or accepted way of using language or performing an action.

regular application

Highlights the consistent and frequent use of something in a particular way.

FAQs

What does "ordinary usage" mean?

The phrase "ordinary usage" refers to the common or typical way a word or phrase is used and understood by most people.

How can I determine the "ordinary usage" of a word?

Consult dictionaries, style guides, and corpora to understand how a word is typically used. Consider also the context in which the word is used.

Is "common parlance" a synonym for "ordinary usage"?

While similar, "common parlance" often refers more specifically to spoken language, whereas "ordinary usage" can apply to both written and spoken communication.

Why is it important to consider "ordinary usage" when writing?

Considering "ordinary usage" ensures that your writing is clear, accessible, and easily understood by your intended audience. Deviating too far from it can lead to misinterpretations.