Highly unusual

USAGE SUMMARY

"highly unusual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is exceptional, strange, or extraordinary. For example, you could say, "The weather this winter season has been highly unusual; it snowed in July!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Highly unusual?

The New York Times

Highly unusual behaviour from the official.

The Guardian - Sport

Highly unusual, especially in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico.

The Washington Post

It's highly unusual".

The New York Times - Health

This is highly unusual.

The New York Times

"It seems highly unusual.

The New York Times

This was highly unusual.

The New Yorker

That's highly unusual".

The New York Times

This picture is highly unusual.

The New Yorker

The ban is highly unusual.

The New York Times - Arts

The arrangement is highly unusual.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly unusual" to emphasize the exceptional nature of an event, situation, or characteristic. For example, "It's highly unusual for snow to fall in this region during the summer."

Common error

While "highly unusual" is correct, overuse in casual conversation can sound stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "rare", "strange", or "odd" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

"Highly unusual" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun to indicate that something is not common or ordinary. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase effectively emphasizes the rarity or exceptional nature of the subject it describes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "highly unusual" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that serves to emphasize the exceptional or rare nature of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for formal contexts and commonly appears in news, academic writing, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "extremely rare" or "remarkably uncommon" exist, "highly unusual" provides a strong and clear way to highlight something that deviates significantly from the norm. When using this phrase, be mindful of the register and consider simpler alternatives in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Extremely rare

Emphasizes the infrequency of something, focusing on its rarity rather than its deviance from the norm.

Remarkably uncommon

Highlights the lack of commonality, adding a sense of surprise or noticeability.

Significantly atypical

Focuses on the deviation from a typical pattern or standard, using a more formal tone.

Notably exceptional

Stresses the positive deviation from the norm, suggesting that it's worthy of attention due to its excellence.

Strikingly peculiar

Emphasizes the odd or strange nature of something, making it stand out in a noticeable way.

Decidedly out of the ordinary

Focuses on something not being normal or routine.

Singularly different

Underlines the uniqueness and distinctiveness of something.

Quite extraordinary

Highlights the remarkable nature of something.

Patently anomalous

Stresses that something is clearly deviating from what is normal or expected.

Unheard of

Indicates that something is unprecedented or has never occurred before.

FAQs

How can I use "highly unusual" in a sentence?

You can use "highly unusual" to describe something that deviates significantly from the norm. For instance, "It is highly unusual to see such a large gathering on a weekday."

What are some alternatives to "highly unusual"?

Alternatives include "extremely rare", "remarkably uncommon", or "notably exceptional", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "highly unusual"?

"Highly unusual" is suitable in formal writing and when emphasizing the exceptional nature of something. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

Is there a difference between "unusual" and "highly unusual"?

Yes, "highly unusual" intensifies the degree of unusualness. While "unusual" simply means not common, "highly unusual" emphasizes that something is exceptionally rare or strange.