a unremarkable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a unremarkable" is not correct in written English. It should be "an unremarkable" because "unremarkable" begins with a vowel sound. You can use it to describe something that is ordinary or lacks distinction. Example: "The movie was an unremarkable experience." Alternative expressions include "an ordinary" and "a mediocre."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This would be a unremarkable segment of a crime film, had DVS – real name Courtney Hutchinson, from Brixton, south London – not been charged with the torture and rape of a woman in February of this year.

Vice

For example, Smith and others found that if an epileptic dog was less than six years old and had a normal inter-ictal neurological examination then there was a 97 % confidence of a unremarkable low field brain MRI, making diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy very likely [ 14].

BMC Veterinary Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It travels beside a wall, an unremarkable gray strip with a bit of sheen.

The New York Times - Sports

A flat in an unremarkable side street had been rented by two Ethiopians for the festivities.

The Guardian

An unhappy child from an unremarkable family in an unremarkable village grows up to be an author of genius.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a way, it is an unremarkable tale.

The New York Times

Viewed from a distance, it is an unremarkable object.

Independent

Aside from his extraordinary trial, Selkirk, the son of a Scottish tanner, led an unremarkable life.

The New York Times - Books

McDermott's seventh novel is a remarkable portrait of an unremarkable life.

The New Yorker

A mediocre recording of an unremarkable 1979 gig at Madison Square Garden has been downloaded almost seven hundred thousand times.

The New Yorker

"Advertising is a tax for having an unremarkable product".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When proofreading, read your sentences aloud; the transition from 'a' to a vowel sound like 'u' in 'unremarkable' usually feels unnatural and identifies the error.

Common error

Avoid using 'a' simply because you are used to it as the default article. The rule depends on the sound of the following word, not just the letter. Since 'unremarkable' starts with a vowel sound, 'a' is always incorrect in this context.

How to use

Learn how to use "a unremarkable" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a unremarkable" functions as an incorrectly formed noun phrase consisting of an indefinite article and an adjective. According to Ludwig AI, this construction violates standard English phonological rules where 'an' is required before a vowel sound. While it appears in limited contexts in Ludwig, it is classified as a mistake.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The search results from Ludwig demonstrate that "a unremarkable" is a rare and grammatically incorrect variation of the standard phrase "an unremarkable". While highly authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently use the correct form to describe ordinary lives, objects or events, the version with 'a' appears only twice as a typographical error in Vice and a veterinary research journal. Ludwig AI confirms that the article 'an' must be used before 'unremarkable' because it begins with a vowel sound. To ensure professional and polished writing, always opt for the correct article or use a consonant-starting synonym like "a mediocre" or "a plain".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unremarkable

Uses the correct indefinite article for a word starting with a vowel sound

an average

Replaces the adjective with a common synonym while maintaining correct article usage

an ordinary

Provides a direct synonym with the correct preceding article

a mediocre

Uses a synonym starting with a consonant, making the article 'a' correct

a commonplace

Shifts to a consonant-led synonym to maintain the 'a' article

an undistinguished

A more formal synonym that requires the article 'an'

a routine

Suggests something standard or expected using a consonant-starting adjective

a nondescript

Focuses on the lack of interesting features using a consonant sound

a plain

A simple alternative that describes something without special features

an unexceptional

A precise formal synonym that also requires the article 'an'

FAQs

Is it correct to say "a unremarkable"?

No, the phrase "a unremarkable" is grammatically incorrect. Because the word begins with a vowel sound, you should use "an unremarkable" instead.

What is the difference between "a unremarkable" and "an unremarkable"?

The difference is strictly grammatical. "an unremarkable" follows the English rule of using 'an' before vowel sounds, whereas "a unremarkable" violates this rule.

Can I use "a ordinary" instead?

No, "a ordinary" is also incorrect for the same reason. You should use "an ordinary" or switch to a consonant-starting adjective like "a common".

Why do some sources show "a unremarkable" in print?

Occurrences of "a unremarkable" in professional sources like Vice or medical journals are typically typographical errors or oversights during the editing process rather than accepted stylistic choices.