a highly unusual case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a highly unusual case" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or instance that is significantly different from the norm or what is typically expected. Example: "The investigation revealed a highly unusual case that baffled the detectives and required extensive analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But the film remains fascinating, highlighting a highly unusual case.

The Guardian - Film

"This is a highly unusual case," Ms. Bozarth said.

The New York Times

No Country For Old Men alternates the reflections of Sheriff Bell, known to everyone as Ed Tom, with the narrative of a highly unusual case.

The Guardian - Books

"Everybody has to admit this is a highly unusual case filled with emotion, filled with fear, filled with anxiety," said Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder Jr. "We are dealing with serious constitutional issues".

The New York Times

This would have been highly unusual, and may have broken new legal ground, but this is a highly unusual case in which the police and CPS have failed three times to do their job.

Independent

The agency's decision came after Judge Edward R. Korman of Federal District Court in New York ruled last month in a highly unusual case that the agency's decision to limit easy access to Plan B to those 18 and older was driven by politics, not science.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

One highly unusual case is that of Australian novelist Tyne O'Connell who shares a house with her two husbands on the Isle of Wight.

The Guardian

Shelli and Tom Milley, two lawyers from Calgary, Alberta, launched their highly unusual case after years of struggling to make their three reluctant children do school work out of the classroom.

The Guardian

Media coverage of highly unusual cases (for example, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-27832039) might also prompt parents to request testing for their children at younger ages.

European Journal of Human Genetics

"This is a highly unusual and very sad case.

Independent

The Florida case is a highly unusual one.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a highly unusual case", ensure the context clearly establishes the specific reasons why the case is considered unusual. Provide details or examples to support this claim.

Common error

Avoid using "a highly unusual case" as a generic placeholder for any situation that deviates slightly from the norm. Reserve it for instances that are genuinely exceptional and warrant specific attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a highly unusual case" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It serves to identify or describe a particular instance as being significantly different from the norm. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a highly unusual case" effectively describes a situation that deviates significantly from the norm, as verified by Ludwig. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, this phrase emphasizes the exceptional nature of the instance being described. When employing this phrase, ensure that the reasons for its unusualness are clearly articulated, and avoid overusing it for minor deviations. Related phrases such as "an extremely rare occurrence" and "a strikingly atypical instance" offer alternative ways to convey the same sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extremely rare occurrence

Emphasizes the infrequency and exceptional nature of the event, using "extremely rare" to heighten the sense of uniqueness.

a particularly exceptional situation

Highlights the distinctive and uncommon character of the situation, with "particularly exceptional" adding emphasis.

a strikingly atypical instance

Focuses on the deviation from the norm, using "strikingly atypical" to suggest a noticeable divergence from typical patterns.

an extraordinarily uncommon event

Underscores the rarity and infrequency of the event, with "extraordinarily uncommon" conveying a strong sense of uniqueness.

a remarkably singular circumstance

Highlights the uniqueness and distinctiveness of the circumstance, with "remarkably singular" emphasizing the individuality.

an unprecedented situation

Highlights the fact that there is no known instance of this specific situation happening before.

an atypical example

Emphasizes that a particular example does not conform to what is typical.

a deviation from the norm

Focuses on the divergence from the usual or expected standard.

an anomaly

A thing that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.

an outlier

A person or thing differing from all other members of a particular group.

FAQs

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

You can use "a highly unusual case" to describe a situation or occurrence that is significantly different from what is typically expected or seen. For example, "The investigation revealed "a highly unusual case" of fraud, which baffled the detectives."

What are some alternatives to "a highly unusual case"?

Alternatives include "an extremely rare occurrence", "a particularly exceptional situation", or "a strikingly atypical instance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a highly unusual case" in formal writing?

Yes, "a highly unusual case" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in contexts like legal, academic, or professional reports where precise and descriptive language is valued.

What distinguishes "a highly unusual case" from "an unusual case"?

The addition of "highly" intensifies the degree of unusualness. "A highly unusual case" suggests that the situation is not just uncommon but exceptionally so, standing out significantly from other unusual cases.