What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abnormally
Example
The patient's test results were abnormally high. [abnormally: adverb]
Example
His abnormally large feet made it difficult to find shoes that fit. [abnormally: adjective]
unusually
Example
She was unusually quiet during the meeting. [unusually: adverb]
Example
The weather has been unusually warm for this time of year. [unusually: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unusually is more commonly used than abnormally in everyday language, as it is more versatile and can be used in various contexts. Abnormally is less common and is typically used in technical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abnormally and unusually?
Abnormally is more formal than unusually, which is more casual and conversational. Therefore, unusually is more appropriate for informal contexts, while abnormally is more suitable for formal or technical contexts.
