a slightly unusual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly unusual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not typical or common, but only to a small degree. Example: "The painting had a slightly unusual color palette that caught everyone's attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"It tidies up what was a slightly unusual situation.

The Guardian - Business

Perhaps that's because he had a slightly unusual start.

Independent

The obligatory seafood tartare takes a slightly unusual turn.

The New York Times - Arts

This was always going to be a slightly unusual gig.

The Guardian - Music

In a slightly unusual twist, Mr. Mack will be credited with four years of additional service.

The New York Times

His 3 f3 was a slightly unusual and blunt plan to take control of the center.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Although the method of peptide selection using 'predicted' sequences in AA as a mold is slightly unusual and evidently may not yield even a semi-complete list of potential peptide sequences, the positive results support this concept.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

A light, lovely skate is rendered only slightly unusual by a bit of Moroccan spice on top and a tasty pile of braised leeks and cauliflower purée underneath it.

The New Yorker

But Ashton Kutcher's entrance to talk about his new sitcom The Ranch (described by the Guardian as "a plains version of Chekhov spliced with a Mel Brooks movie") was slightly unusual.

The Guardian

"As an intern I was slightly unusual in two ways: I didn't study a quantitative degree in finance, and I didn't come from Oxbridge or the Ivy League.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was a worry that his slightly unusual action - with his head pointing towards the ground at the moment of release - might be causing damage to his back and for a couple of years he spent more time bowling at traffic cones than he did in the middle.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slightly unusual", ensure the context clarifies what the standard or norm is being deviated from. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly unusual" when the subject is significantly different or extraordinary. This phrase is best suited for minor deviations, reserving stronger adjectives for more pronounced anomalies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly unusual" functions primarily as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, adding detail to a noun by indicating a minor deviation from what is considered normal or typical. As seen in Ludwig, the phrase is deemed correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a slightly unusual" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that deviates mildly from the norm. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s broadly applicable but particularly favored in contexts like news and media where a balanced, non-extreme description is required. While alternatives exist, such as "somewhat uncommon" or "a bit out of the ordinary", the key is to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the degree of deviation. Avoid overstating the unusualness and clarify the norm being deviated from to maintain clarity and precision in your writing. Use it with confidence to add subtle color to your descriptions, making sure the context aligns with the mild connotation of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat uncommon

Indicates a deviation from the norm, similar to "a slightly unusual", but emphasizes the infrequency of occurrence.

a tad unconventional

Suggests a departure from established norms, with "unconventional" highlighting the lack of adherence to standard practices.

a bit out of the ordinary

Emphasizes the departure from typical or expected experiences, more colloquial than "a slightly unusual".

marginally atypical

Highlights the deviation from the typical, using "atypical" to suggest a lack of conformity to a specific type.

a touch eccentric

Implies a charming or quirky deviation from the norm, often associated with personality or style.

rather peculiar

Highlights the strangeness or oddity of something, suggesting it is noticeably different.

somewhat divergent

Indicates a deviation from a standard path or expectation, highlighting the difference in direction or approach.

barely orthodox

Emphasizes the adherence to established doctrines or beliefs, highlighting minimal conformity.

faintly irregular

Suggests a slight deviation from what is considered standard or conforming to established rules.

kind of offbeat

Implies a unique and unconventional quality, with “offbeat” focusing on the divergence from the mainstream.

FAQs

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

Use "a slightly unusual" to describe something that deviates from the norm in a subtle way. For example, "The restaurant had "a slightly unusual" decor that made it stand out".

What can I say instead of "a slightly unusual"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat uncommon", "a bit out of the ordinary", or "a tad unconventional" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a slightly unusual" or "an unusual"?

"A slightly unusual" implies a small degree of variation from the norm, while "an unusual" suggests a more significant departure. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual degree of difference.

When should I avoid using the phrase "a slightly unusual"?

Avoid using "a slightly unusual" when describing something that is drastically different or unique. In such cases, stronger adjectives like "extraordinary", "exceptional", or "unique" would be more appropriate.