a unique set of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a unique set of" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a distinct or exclusive group or collection of elements. Example: The museum boasts a unique set of artifacts from ancient civilizations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These people have a unique set of problems.

The New York Times

Mid-career job seekers have a unique set of challenges.

The Guardian

Fame in 2012 has a unique set of parameters.

The Guardian - Music

Basements had a unique set of arthropod families.

Nature

Each fixture has a unique set of benefits and drawbacks.

Cornell University

Each neighborhood presents a unique set of planning challenges.

Princeton University

Khamenei is now facing a unique set of challenges.

The New York Times

A unique set of conditions had coalesced on the ground.

The New York Times

Conservation has posed a unique set of challenges.

Endeavour

Social work also has a unique set of values which promotes building and mirroring empathy.

The Guardian

Each of us has a unique set of desires, characteristics, abilities and disabilities.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a unique set of" when you want to emphasize the distinctiveness or exclusivity of a group or collection. It signals that the items or qualities are not commonly found together.

Common error

Avoid using "a unique set of" to describe qualities or characteristics that are generally common. This diminishes the impact of the word 'unique' and can make your writing sound less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a unique set of" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, adding specificity and emphasis to the noun it precedes. It highlights the distinctiveness and exclusivity of the collection being described. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis, which confirms its correct and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a unique set of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to emphasize the distinctiveness or exclusivity of a collection or group. While versatile across various registers, it's crucial to avoid redundancy by not using it with already unique qualities. It appears most often in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. Remember to use it when you want to highlight that something has a special, uncommon collection of qualities or items.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a distinctive collection of

Emphasizes the distinctiveness of the collection.

an exclusive array of

Highlights the exclusivity and variety within the array.

a particular group of

Focuses on a specific and defined group.

a special combination of

Stresses the specific combination of elements.

a one-of-a-kind assortment of

Highlights the uniqueness and variety of the assortment.

a rare selection of

Implies the selection is uncommon or hard to find.

a singular compilation of

Underscores the singularity of the compilation.

a customized arrangement of

Highlights the tailored nature of the arrangement.

a distinct assortment of

Focuses on the distinctiveness of the assortment.

an unparalleled compilation of

Highlights the unprecedented nature of the compilation.

FAQs

How can I use "a unique set of" in a sentence?

Use "a unique set of" to describe something that has a distinct or uncommon collection of characteristics or items. For instance, "Each artist brings "a unique set of skills" to the collaboration".

What's a good alternative to "a unique set of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a distinctive collection of", "an exclusive array of", or "a particular group of".

Is it redundant to say "a very unique set of"?

Yes, since "unique" already implies being one-of-a-kind, adding "very" is generally considered redundant. Simply use "a unique set of".

What is the difference between "a unique set of" and "a specific set of"?

"A unique set of" emphasizes that the items or characteristics are distinct and not commonly found elsewhere. "A specific set of" simply indicates a particular, defined group without necessarily implying distinctiveness.