unconventional

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'unconventional' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is not typical or expected. For example, "The artist created an unconventional painting that combined abstract and realistic elements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At fashion boutique Bodice, owner Ruchika Sachdeva offers androgynous design, unconventional cuts and uses traditional methods such as block printing.

The Guardian - Travel

Inside the hall, enormous US and Australian flags bookended either side of the stage, and a unconventional medley of country music and Stevie Wonder songs pealed from speakers.

The Guardian

While Waldrum may have stepped on a few toes with his unconventional fundraising, his team can keep training in its quest to reach women players' biggest stage for the first time.

The Guardian - Sport

We're sinking trillions of dollars into finding unconventional oil and gas that we're never going to use rather than planning for the transition.

The Guardian

Global supply outlooks remain heavily optimistic on the US ability to deliver over the coming decade, relying overwhelmingly on unconventional plays for what looks like a historical supply surge for more years to come.

The Guardian

As one half of Number 9 films, the independent production company she formed in 2004 with her British husband, Stephen Woolley (also an acclaimed producer and director), Karlsen has long championed more unconventional or difficult stories, be it child abuse in Hollow Reed or transgender characters and prostitution in Breakfast on Pluto.

The Guardian - Film

Addressing climate change sometimes requires a toolkit of similarly unconventional approaches.

The Guardian

My sense of being a loner was reinforced in a schoolyard where the unconventional was perceived as just being fucking odd.

The Guardian

This unconventional approach to marketing has definitely boosted Honest Brew's social media followers, says Reeve – in the last year its Twitter followers have more than doubled.

The Guardian

These books are mostly about families, unconventional ones.

The Guardian - Books

It is also the case, though, that the impact of QE has been blunted in the US and the UK by the combination of unconventional monetary policies with conservative fiscal policies.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing methods or approaches, use "unconventional" to highlight a deviation from standard practices. For example, "The company adopted an unconventional marketing strategy."

Common error

Avoid using "unconventional" as a generic term for anything you find strange or dislike. Instead, reserve it for situations where there's a clear deviation from an established norm or convention.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unconventional" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that deviates from established norms or practices. Ludwig examples show it describing "cuts", "medley", and "fundraising" among other things.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unconventional" functions as an adjective to describe deviations from the norm. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It appears "very common" across diverse sources like news, business, and science. When you aim to emphasize a departure from what is expected, consider using "unconventional". If you are looking for close meaning alternatives, "nontraditional", "unorthodox", and "unusual" are valuable alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nontraditional

Emphasizes a departure from established traditions or customs.

unorthodox

Highlights a deviation from accepted or established doctrines or practices.

unusual

Focuses on the infrequency or rarity of something.

atypical

Stresses the deviation from a typical example or standard.

irregular

Indicates a lack of conformity to normal rules or patterns.

eccentric

Highlights a deviation from the norm in a peculiar or odd way.

avant-garde

Implies innovation and a challenge to established norms, particularly in artistic or cultural contexts.

innovative

Focuses on the introduction of new ideas or methods.

groundbreaking

Highlights a significant advancement or departure from previous norms.

radical

Emphasizes a fundamental or extreme departure from the norm.

FAQs

How can I use "unconventional" in a sentence?

You can use "unconventional" to describe methods, approaches, or ideas that deviate from the norm. For instance, "He proposed an unconventional solution to the problem." Ludwig AI confirms that the word can be used in written English.

What's a good alternative to "unconventional"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms such as "nontraditional", "unorthodox", or "unusual" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say something is "unconventional"?

Yes, it's perfectly correct. "Unconventional" is a standard English word used to describe something that does not adhere to typical conventions or norms.

What is the difference between "unconventional" and "traditional"?

"Unconventional" describes something that deviates from established norms, while "traditional" refers to practices, methods, or ideas that are accepted and have been followed for a long time.