when someone behaves in an unusual way

[alpacinou]

I want to say someone is behaving in an usual way which uncharacteristic of them. Can I use "despite herself"?

Is this okay?

Jane, despite herself, was nice and talkative that night.

 

[emsr2d2]

No. That phrase suggests that she either did something she didn't want to, or didn't do something even though she wanted to.

 

[alpacinou]

No. That phrase suggests that she either did something she didn't want to, or didn't do something even though she wanted to.

What can I use instead of "despite herself" in that sentence?

 

[teechar]

I want to say someone is behaving in an usual way (which is) uncharacteristic of them. Can I use "despite herself"?

No.

Jane, despite herself, was being unusually/uncharacteristically nice and talkative that night.

See above.

 

[Rover_KE]

She is behaving out of character.

 

[tedmc]

Jane was not being herself that night; she was unusually nice and talkative.