so typical of him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so typical of him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's behaviour, implying that it is familiar in some way. For example: "John was late to the meeting again - so typical of him!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It was so typical of him," Ms. Becker said.

The New York Times

With that bubbling humour so typical of him, he throws out brilliant aperçus, hilarious indiscretions, wicked gossip to his correspondents - but all the while he is focused on serving the play, the actors, the theatre itself.

The Guardian

To attempt it was so typical of him: he takes this set of earthy, erotic, subtle narratives and observations of change and has created a staggering cornucopia of poetry available for all.

The Guardian - Opinion

Second, as is so typical of him, what initially may appear to be three separate narratives turn out to be a single, complex case for emphasizing the study of form, teleological explanation, and conditional necessity.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

While granita is typically Italian, particularly the coffee or orange or mulberry flavours so typical of Sicily, strawberries and cream is so very English.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And that's so typical of Tony".

The New York Times

This is so typical of me.

The New York Times

"So typical of men of your generation.

The New Yorker

It's so typical of this place.

The Guardian - Travel

She says, 'This is so typical of Nicholas.

The New Yorker

"That's so typical of men, to deny," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so typical of him" when you want to express that someone's behavior is predictable and consistent with their known character. It can imply both positive and negative connotations depending on the context.

Common error

While "so typical of him" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more descriptive and less colloquial alternatives like "consistent with his character" or "characteristic of his behavior" to maintain a more serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so typical of him" functions as a comment or observation on someone's behavior, indicating that it aligns with their established character or habits. It expresses a sense of familiarity or predictability regarding their actions, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "so typical of him" is a common expression used to describe someone's predictable behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to consider the specific context to avoid overuse in formal settings. Alternatives like "consistent with his nature" can offer a more professional tone when needed. Remember that the phrase implies a familiarity with the person's habits or character, making it a versatile tool for commentary and observation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in character for him

Focuses on the alignment of the action with an established persona.

very characteristic of him

Emphasizes the inherent trait rather than the expected behavior.

runs true to form for him

Expresses that someone's actions align with their established pattern or behavior.

consistent with his nature

Highlights the alignment of the action with his inherent disposition.

true to form for him

Implies the action is a predictable continuation of his past behavior.

just like him

More informal and direct, focusing on the person's consistent actions.

that's just him

A simple and direct way to express familiarity with his behavior.

as one would expect from him

Highlights the predictability of the action based on his past behavior.

typical behavior for him

A more descriptive and less idiomatic way to convey the same meaning.

what he usually does

Simplifies the expression to focus on habitual action.

FAQs

What does "so typical of him" mean?

It means that a particular action or behavior is consistent with what is expected or known of that person. It suggests familiarity with their habits or character.

How can I use "so typical of him" in a sentence?

You can use it to comment on someone's actions, implying that they are acting in a way that is predictable based on their personality. For example: "He forgot his keys again – "just like him"!"

What are some alternatives to saying "so typical of him"?

Alternatives include phrases like "very characteristic of him", "in character for him", or "consistent with his nature", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "so typical of him" a formal or informal expression?

It leans towards being an informal expression. While generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from using alternatives like "consistent with his nature" or "characteristic of him".