perfectly ordinary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perfectly ordinary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely normal or unremarkable, often emphasizing the lack of anything special about it. Example: "Despite the hype, the restaurant's food was perfectly ordinary and did not live up to expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The perfectly ordinary attic junk and jumble.

The Guardian

It started as a perfectly ordinary day.

The Guardian

He was just a perfectly ordinary cook.

The New York Times - Food

Three costumed people stand in a perfectly ordinary room.

Independent

"We're a perfectly ordinary school," repeats Mike Dierig.

The Times

This is perfectly ordinary concrete -- emphasis on the perfect.

The New York Times

Apart from that, he led a perfectly ordinary life.

The Guardian

"Most of them," the author writes, "were perfectly ordinary people".

The Guardian - Books

An Amazing and Perfectly Ordinary Trip to India | FRANCIS X. CLOONEY, S.J. Cambridge, MA.

Harvard University

The Sun is a perfectly ordinary star -- a great, glowing ball of gas.

Cornell University

The figure in the duffel coat seemed to be an affable, perfectly ordinary Cambridge student.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perfectly ordinary" to downplay expectations or emphasize the normalcy of a situation or object. It's useful when you want to highlight the contrast between perceived or anticipated specialness and the actual reality.

Common error

Avoid relying on "perfectly ordinary" as a primary descriptor, especially in creative writing. It can flatten the impact of your prose and should be balanced with more vivid and specific details to engage the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perfectly ordinary" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies nouns to indicate that they are unremarkable, typical, or lacking in any exceptional qualities. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in various contexts to emphasize the commonness or lack of distinction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "perfectly ordinary" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something as unremarkable or typical. Ludwig's analysis of various sources confirms its frequent appearance in News & Media and Academia contexts. While versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse and balance it with more descriptive language in creative writing. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English to describe something that is completely normal or unremarkable, often emphasizing the lack of anything special about it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely average

Emphasizes the lack of any exceptional qualities, focusing on the statistical average.

entirely typical

Highlights the conformity to a standard or expected pattern.

utterly unremarkable

Stresses the complete absence of notable features or qualities.

nothing special

A straightforward expression of something not being extraordinary or noteworthy.

totally commonplace

Emphasizes the widespread occurrence and lack of novelty.

plain vanilla

An idiomatic expression suggesting a lack of embellishment or special characteristics.

garden-variety

Similar to "plain vanilla", indicating commonness and lack of distinction.

standard fare

Implies something is common and meets basic expectations, often in the context of food or entertainment.

run-of-the-mill

Suggests something is ordinary and not exceptional in quality or nature.

quite conventional

Highlights adherence to established norms and traditions.

FAQs

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

You can use "perfectly ordinary" to describe something that is completely normal or unremarkable. For example, "Despite the hype, the restaurant's food was perfectly ordinary and didn't live up to expectations."

What are some alternatives to saying "perfectly ordinary"?

Alternatives include "completely average", "entirely typical", or "utterly unremarkable", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "perfectly ordinary"?

Yes, "perfectly ordinary" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. It follows standard adjective-adjective order.

What's the difference between "perfectly ordinary" and "average"?

"Perfectly ordinary" often implies a lack of anything special or noteworthy, whereas "average" is a statistical term referring to a central or typical value. While similar, "perfectly ordinary" carries a slightly more subjective connotation.