unconventional for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unconventional for" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that deviates from the norm or traditional expectations in a specific context. Example: "Her approach to problem-solving is unconventional for a scientist." Alternative expressions include "atypical for" and "unusual for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

(Journalism provides a few: "convivial" for "drunk"; "unconventional" for "mad").

The Economist

The book was quite unconventional for its time.

The New Yorker

"It's something that's a bit unusual, unconventional for hardware companies to do," Mr. Yianni said.

The New York Times

Hester is a very conventional woman, but she does something that is very unconventional for the time.

The New York Times

Tall, lean and elegantly dressed, with dreadlocks that reach past his waist, Diamante admits that his look is unconventional for the fraternity of public-address announcers.

The New York Times - Sports

Entrepreneurs and venture capitalists say that Facebook's approach to wooing start-ups to join its ranks is unconventional for a company of its stature.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

The Unconventional Wisdom For-profit viruses.

Forbes

These special operations forces have been America's spearhead for unconventional warfare for more than 40 years.

Wikipedia

That financial reality limited interest in investing in unconventionals for many years.

The New York Times

"For some more unconventional voices, for people that don't have connections, blogs can be an entryway into the game".

The New Yorker

For $60, the students get four hours of unconventional training for the unthinkable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unconventional for", ensure that the context clearly defines the standard or norm against which something is being compared. This will provide clarity and prevent misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "unconventional for" when describing something that is simply new or innovative without clearly indicating that it departs from established norms or traditions. Ensure it is actually a departure and not just something different.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unconventional for" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is not in line with what is generally accepted, expected, or typical within a specified context. Ludwig demonstrates its usage across numerous domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prepositional phrase "unconventional for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to denote a departure from established norms or expectations within a specific context. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia and Science domains, its neutral register makes it suitable for varied forms of communication. For conveying similar meaning it's possible to use "atypical for" or "unusual for". Remember to define the baseline of standard expectations to avoid ambiguities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

atypical for

Replaces "unconventional" with "atypical", emphasizing the deviation from a typical example.

unusual for

Substitutes "unconventional" with "unusual", suggesting a deviation from what is commonly seen or experienced.

not typical for

Uses a negative construction to express that something does not conform to the expected standard.

out of the ordinary for

Replaces "unconventional" with "out of the ordinary", highlighting the exceptional nature of something.

uncommon for

Employs "uncommon" instead of "unconventional", indicating that something is rare or infrequent in a given situation.

deviant for

Replaces "unconventional" with "deviant", which suggests a departure from accepted norms.

anomalous for

Substitutes "unconventional" with "anomalous", implying that something is inconsistent with the norm.

irregular for

Uses "irregular" instead of "unconventional", highlighting a departure from established rules or patterns.

exceptional for

Replaces "unconventional" with "exceptional", emphasizing the outstanding or unusual quality of something.

aberrant for

Substitutes "unconventional" with "aberrant", which implies a deviation from the proper or expected course.

FAQs

How can I use "unconventional for" in a sentence?

Use "unconventional for" to describe something that deviates from what is typically expected or considered normal within a specific context. For example: "His management style is "unconventional for" a CEO."

What are some alternatives to "unconventional for"?

You can use alternatives such as "atypical for", "unusual for", or "not typical for" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "unconventional for" and "unusual for"?

While both phrases are similar, "unconventional for" implies a stronger deviation from established norms or customs, whereas "unusual for" simply suggests that something is not commonly seen or experienced.

When is it appropriate to use "unconventional for" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something defies expectations or breaks with tradition within a given setting or profession. Be sure that you specify or imply what are the conventional characteristics.