a rather unique

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rather unique" is considered incorrect in standard English usage.
The word "unique" means one of a kind, so it should not be modified by adverbs like "rather" or "very." Example: "Her approach to solving the problem was unique."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This leaves me in a rather unique position," Mr. Brin wrote in his blog post.

The New York Times - Tech

CNET has negotiated a rather unique provision that gives it more leeway than usual to find another, higher bidder.

The New York Times

"To write what is a gossip column and be a decent person is a rather unique trick".

The New York Times

"I had a rather unique position in that company," he said, "in that I was their standard baritone doing all the great baritone villains in grand opera".

The New York Times - Arts

Nearly eighty years ago, a Republican President, Herbert Hoover, had his hands full with a horrible economy and a rather unique Thanksgiving dilemma.

The New Yorker

This is a rather unique book because it combines world history with real historical figures and events and usual Facebook activities.

The Guardian

"This was a rather unique situation for us," Wagner says, "to be like -- what's the right word? -- like godparents, in a way.

The New York Times - Magazine

"But this is a rather unique situation where the government is a creditor and the government should be able to influence executive compensation," he said.

The New York Times

Afols also have a rather unique relationship with their favourite toy manufacturer, largely because their toy manufacturer encourages intercommunication (via email).

Independent

Today though, the focus is on her latest recruits – or "new faces", as they are known – who have gathered at London's Somerset House for a rather unique shoot.

Independent

"You need a rather unique fund to pass these tests," said Gerald Perritt, editor of Gerald Perritt's Mutual Fund Letter in Largo, Fla. "This is a pretty elite group".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "rather" with "unique" in formal writing; consider alternatives like "somewhat unique" or rephrasing to emphasize the uniqueness without modification. You can also try replacing "unique" with synonyms like "distinctive" or "uncommon".

Common error

The word "unique" already means 'one of a kind'. Avoid modifying it with adverbs like "rather", "very", or "extremely" as this creates redundancy. Instead, describe why something is unique.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rather unique" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, attempting to modify a noun. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that its use is grammatically questionable since "unique" inherently means one-of-a-kind and doesn't require further qualification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a rather unique" is widely used, Ludwig AI suggests it's technically incorrect due to the redundant nature of modifying "unique". It appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, revealing its prevalence despite grammatical critiques. For formal writing, consider using alternatives like "a somewhat unique" or rephrasing to emphasize the unique qualities directly. Despite the incorrectness, the frequency of use suggests a common, albeit informal, acceptance of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a somewhat unique

Replaces "rather" with "somewhat", softening the emphasis on uniqueness.

a fairly unique

Substitutes "rather" for "fairly", indicating a moderate level of uniqueness.

a particularly unique

Emphasizes uniqueness with "particularly", highlighting a specific aspect.

a quite unique

Swaps "rather" with "quite", suggesting a noticeable degree of uniqueness.

a truly unique

Replaces "rather" with "truly", strengthening the assertion of uniqueness.

a remarkably unique

Emphasizes the uniqueness with "remarkably", indicating a striking quality.

an exceptionally unique

Uses "exceptionally" instead of "rather", suggesting an uncommon uniqueness.

a strikingly unique

Replaces "rather" with "strikingly", suggesting a noticeable and impressive uniqueness.

an unusually unique

Replaces "rather" with "unusually", emphasizing a deviation from the norm.

a singularly unique

Replace "rather" with "singularly", stressing the unparalleled and distinct quality.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "a rather unique"?

According to standard English usage, "a rather unique" is considered incorrect. The word "unique" inherently means 'one of a kind', so modifying it with adverbs like "rather" is redundant.

What are some alternatives to "a rather unique" that maintain a similar meaning?

While "a rather unique" isn't strictly correct, you can use alternatives such as "a somewhat unique", "a particularly unique", or simply describe what makes it unique without using the word "unique" at all.

How can I describe something that's almost unique without using "a rather unique"?

Instead of saying "a rather unique", try phrases like "an uncommon", "a distinctive", or "a rare" example. You can also specify what aspect of it is distinctive.

Why is "a rather unique" often used despite being considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "a rather unique" is frequently used in casual conversation and writing, even though it's technically incorrect. This is because people often use adverbs to add emphasis or nuance, even when the modified word already implies an absolute quality. However, in formal contexts, it's best to avoid it.