a unique and different

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a unique and different" is not correct in standard English usage because "unique" already implies that something is one of a kind, making "different" redundant.
You can use it when trying to emphasize that something stands out in a way that is both singular and distinct from others, but it is better to choose one descriptor. Example: "The artist's style is a unique and different approach to modern art."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I would salute anybody who uses creativity in a unique and different way".

The Guardian - Business

You'll get to catch a unique and different set from Richie himself".

Vice

"But the committee has a unique and different function, in addition to working with the agencies, to keep the Congress informed and, if necessary, the public … and I'm not comfortable that that part of the committee's work is being pursued".

Huffington Post

Semantic workflows are a unique and different class of workflow platforms.

Genome Medicine

These results suggested that the tumor education was specific and that probably a unique and different fetal component was being recognized by the effector cells obtained from the rats with lesions arising either in the mesodermal or endodermal tissue.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Meanwhile the vas efferens showed also a unique and different set of genes expression in agreement with its mixed embryonic origin (embryonic glomerulus and upper Wolffian duct) compared to the epididymis (upper Wolffian duct) and the vas deferens (middle Wolfian Duct) [ 35].

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Depending on the collaborator, Sondheim sees each of his shows as inhabiting a unique and "entirely different colour.

The Guardian

Paediatric oncology is, by its very nature, a unique and distinctly different medical speciality to all other oncological practice.

Cancer Imaging

In the case of the Wii, for example, just by bundling Wii Sports, it was easily conveyed to the consumers that the Wii was a very unique and different system.

The Guardian - Tech

"We see such an overwhelming amount of [positive support], that people feel like they're connected to their friends in a very unique and different way, much different than something with identity and then much different than something like [anonymous app] Whisper where you're talking to a stranger".

TechCrunch

Others have argued that since Greece cannot meet its fiscal targets, it constitutes a very unique and different case compared to other European economies.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and precision, choose either "unique" or "different" based on which best captures your intended meaning. Avoid using both together to prevent redundancy.

Common error

Do not use "unique" and "different" together unless emphasizing the exceptional nature of something that is not only one-of-a-kind but also deviates noticeably from the expected. Redundancy weakens your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase primarily functions as a descriptive modifier, aiming to emphasize the distinctive qualities of a noun. While the intent is to highlight something special, Ludwig AI flags it as potentially redundant, because "unique" already suggests being different.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a unique and different" aims to highlight the distinctiveness of something, yet Ludwig AI identifies a redundancy as "unique" already implies difference. While used across various contexts like News & Media and Science, clearer alternatives like "distinct and original" may strengthen your writing. Using "a unique and different" can be correct when trying to emphasize that something stands out in a way that is both singular and distinct from others. However, it is better to choose one descriptor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinct and original

Replaces both "unique" and "different" with stronger synonyms emphasizing distinctiveness.

singular and varied

Uses "singular" to capture the one-of-a-kind aspect and "varied" to suggest diversity within that uniqueness.

uncommon and special

Highlights the rarity and particular value of something, steering clear of redundancy.

exceptional and diverse

Emphasizes high quality and the presence of variety, suggesting a wide range of unique attributes.

particularly distinct

Focuses on the marked separateness of the item from others.

remarkably individual

Stresses the characteristic of being notably separate and one's own.

strikingly atypical

Highlights the unusual nature of the subject, suggesting a deviation from the norm.

unconventionally diverse

Highlights how something breaks from the norm in its variety.

unprecedented and diverse

Highlights how the phrase is new and has many elements.

rare and unconventional

Emphasizes that something is scarce and breaks from the norm.

FAQs

Why is the phrase "a unique and different" considered incorrect?

The phrase "a unique and different" is often considered redundant because the word "unique" already implies that something is one of a kind. Adding "different" can be seen as unnecessary.

What are some alternatives to "a unique and different" that avoid redundancy?

You can use alternatives like "distinct and original", "singular and varied", or "uncommon and special" to convey the same meaning without being repetitive.

Is it ever appropriate to use the phrase "a unique and different"?

While generally discouraged in formal writing, you might use "a unique and different" in informal contexts or when trying to emphasize the exceptional nature of something that is both one-of-a-kind and noticeably distinct.

How does using "a unique and different" affect the clarity of my writing?

Using "a unique and different" can reduce clarity by introducing redundancy. Choosing a single, strong descriptor like "unique" or "distinct" often results in more precise and impactful writing.