Meaning & use
non-conventional
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Not following the usual or accepted way of doing something.
Grammar: Used before a noun: non-conventional methods, non-conventional thinking.
Patterns
- non-conventional methods
- non-conventional approach to something
The team used non-conventional methods to cut costs.
Her non-conventional approach to teaching keeps students interested.
Non-conventional energy sources such as wind and solar are growing fast.
adjectivebefore a nountechnical
Not using standard equipment or technology; unusual in design.
Grammar: Comes before a noun; describes weapons, medicine, or designs that are not standard.
Patterns
- non-conventional weapons
- non-conventional treatment
The report discussed the spread of non-conventional weapons.
Doctors tried a non-conventional treatment when the usual drugs failed.
Common combinations
- non-conventional methods
- They solved the problem with non-conventional methods.
- non-conventional approach
- His non-conventional approach surprised the whole team.
- non-conventional energy
- The country is investing in non-conventional energy.
- highly non-conventional
- The design is highly non-conventional but practical.
Synonyms and how they differ
- unconventional
- The far more common form and the one to use in everyday writing; non-conventional is mostly found in technical or formal texts.
- unorthodox
- Suggests breaking with tradition in a way that may be admired or criticized; stronger in tone than non-conventional.
- alternative
- Focuses on there being another option rather than on being unusual; use it for choices, not for style.
Opposites
Word family
- convention noun
- a usual way of doing things, or a large formal meeting
- conventionally adverb
- in the usual or accepted way
- unconventional adjective
- the standard negative form, meaning not usual
Commonly confused: non-conventional or unconventional?
non-conventional vs unconventional
Both mean 'not usual', but unconventional is the normal English word; non-conventional is rare and mostly technical. Use unconventional in essays and everyday speech.
Practice
Which sentence uses the word correctly and naturally?
Choose one answer.
Non-conventional is an adjective, so it goes before the noun 'ideas'. Option 3 wrongly uses it as an adverb, and options 2 and 4 put it in the wrong position.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “non-conventional”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.