Cool MateOrdinary vs We're just like everyone else
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Ordinary
Top 2,000 (common)A2adjective
We're just like everyone else
Top 2,000 (common)
| Ordinary | We're just like everyone else | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɔːdnri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɔːrdneri/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wɪə dʒʌst laɪk ˈɛvriwʌn ɛls//🇺🇸 //wɪr dʒʌst laɪk ˈɛvriwʌn ɛls// |
| Meaning | Common or usual; not special or different. | We are the same as others. |
| Example | The ordinary day turned extraordinary with a surprise party. | In the end, we're just like everyone else, trying to find our way. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, look, seem, very, perfectly, quite, be, look, seem, very, perfectly, quite | feel just like everyone else, act just like everyone else, think just like everyone else |
| Antonyms | extraordinary, exceptional, unusual | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Ordinary' confused with 'extraordinary' — they are opposites., Using 'ordinary' to describe positive experiences may seem negative., Misusing 'ordinary' as a verb. | Using it in formal contexts where a detailed explanation is expected., Omitting 'just', which changes the emphasis., Confusing with 'We're different from everyone else'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'ordinary' to describe things that are normal or average. Avoid in contexts where something is rare or exceptional. | Use this phrase to express similarity to a group. It's informal and best suited for casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Ordinary vs We're just like everyone else
What's the difference between Ordinary and We're just like everyone else?
Ordinary: Common or usual; not special or different. We're just like everyone else: We are the same as others.
Can you show an example of each?
Ordinary: The ordinary day turned extraordinary with a surprise party. We're just like everyone else: In the end, we're just like everyone else, trying to find our way.
Can I use Ordinary and We're just like everyone else interchangeably?
Not always. Ordinary and We're just like everyone else are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.