typically
part of speech
adverb (typically)
meaning for a pupil
1) Typically means usually; in the way that something normally happens: «It typically rains in April.» tree →
2) Typically means in a way that is very like a certain person or thing: «a typically British breakfast». tree →
3) It can also mean «as you would expect» about something annoying: «Typically, the bus was late again.» tree →
sense in the lessons
In science and maths, «typically» means «usually, in most cases but not all»: «A typical spider has eight legs», «typically about 20 children in a class». In reports and exam questions it shows a general pattern. In everyday talk it can sound fed-up: «Typically, it rained on sports day.» Phrases: «typically between», «typically British», «typically late».
examples
- A cat typically sleeps for more than twelve hours a day. tree →
- Summers in Australia are typically hot and dry. tree →
- Typically, our school bus arrives at quarter to nine. tree →
- It was a typically Irish welcome, with tea and biscuits. tree →
- Typically, my brother left his dirty socks on the floor again. tree →
- A trip to the coast typically takes two hours. tree →
- Bananas typically grow in hot, wet countries. tree →
note
Spelt with «-ally»: typically (not «typicly»). Say «TIP-ik-lee». From «typical». In maths, «typically» does not mean «always»: there can be exceptions. «Typically» is close to «usually» but sounds more formal; for a moan it shows the speaker expected something bad.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «typically» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.