typical

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "typical" is correct and is widely used in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, condition or feature that conforms to conventional expectations or is typical of a particular type of person or thing. For example: "It was a typical summer day, with blue skies and hot sunshine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sadly, it is typical of the smears coming from those who would rather not debate policy and substance".

The Guardian

Sadly it is typical of the smears coming from those who would rather not debate policy and substance," Shapps said.

The Guardian

Obama pledged the law would lower premiums by up to $2,500 per year for a typical family by January 2013 and improve the economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

The typical wheeze in asthma is a continuous whistling sound heard on breathing out.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In typical Labour fashion there are also personal and quasi-theological rivalries over what a "movement" means in practice and who really gets it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Comic Relief is typical of the small ideas that the BBC catalyses into programming on a scale that reaches deep into people's lives, and can make all of us think afresh about our roles and commitments.

The Guardian

Confrontations like Sheehan's are "a pretty typical situation that happens across the country these days", said Ron Honberg, director of policy and legal affairs at the National Alliance for Mental Illness (Nami), which filed a brief supporting her suit.

The Guardian

A typical combined salary for a WSL player also on one of 27 "central" England contracts is around £45,000 per annum – peanuts compared to their male peers but an infinite improvement on the £5 match fees commonly paid by leading clubs only a couple of decades ago.

The Guardian - Sport

But, according to the WHO, exposure to noise levels of 100 dB, typical in nightclubs, bars and sporting events, is safe for no more than 15 minutes.

The Guardian

For a typical antihero jerk, Bosch isn't so bad, and Welliver plays him with a velvet growl that somehow is welcoming even as we realise what a giant mess his personal life (or what there is of it) is.

The Guardian

Admittedly, my love of dinosaurs is a little more intense than is typical.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "typical" to describe qualities or behaviors that are expected or commonly observed within a specific context or group. This helps provide a frame of reference for your audience.

Common error

Be cautious of using "typical" in ways that perpetuate stereotypes or exclude diverse experiences. Ensure your usage is supported by evidence and acknowledges potential variations.

Linguistic Context

The word "typical" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something possesses the common or expected characteristics of its kind. Ludwig confirms this is a widely accepted usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "typical" functions as an adjective to describe something that conforms to the common characteristics of its kind. According to Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts. While it's a versatile term, it's important to avoid overgeneralizations and be mindful of potential biases. Alternatives like "representative", "characteristic", and "standard" can offer greater precision depending on the context. Using "typical" appropriately enhances clarity and helps establish shared understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

representative

Focuses on how well something exemplifies a larger group or category.

characteristic

Highlights a distinguishing feature or quality that is commonly associated with something.

standard

Emphasizes conformity to a norm or established requirement.

usual

Indicates that something happens or is done in the way that is most common.

common

Stresses the frequency or widespread occurrence of something.

average

Refers to a value that is statistically in the middle of a range, or something that is normal.

conventional

Stresses adherence to accepted norms or practices.

predictable

Highlights the ease with which something can be anticipated based on prior knowledge or patterns.

archetypal

Focuses on something that serves as a perfect or definitive example of its kind.

emblematic

Highlights the symbolic representation of something else, often a quality or idea.

FAQs

How can I use "typical" in a sentence?

You can use "typical" to describe something that is representative of a particular type, group, or category. For instance, "It was a "typical summer day", hot and sunny".

What words can I use instead of "typical"?

Alternatives to "typical" include "representative", "characteristic", "standard", and "usual", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "typically" instead of "typical"?

Yes, "typically" is the adverbial form of "typical". Use "typical" to describe a noun, and "typically" to modify a verb or adjective. For example, "He is a typical student" vs "He typically studies at night".

What is the difference between "typical" and "normal"?

"Typical" implies that something is representative of a group or category, while "normal" suggests that something conforms to a standard or expected state. They can often be used interchangeably, but "typical" emphasizes representativeness.