a very extraordinary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very extraordinary" is not correct in standard English usage.
The word "extraordinary" already implies a high degree of something, so adding "very" is redundant. Example: "Her performance was extraordinary, captivating the entire audience."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

VANESSA REDGRAVE It's a very extraordinary play.

The New York Times

"It has been a very extraordinary year," Mr. Buffett said.

The New York Times

It was a very extraordinary experience to be inside that.

The Guardian

"We have a very extraordinary relationship," says Annaud, face full of affection.

The Guardian - Film

These are departures from established norms, but it was a very extraordinary case.

The Guardian - Opinion

"She's a very extraordinary person, the way she examined it and what she shared," added Voight.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

It's the beautiful evolution of a girl into a leader as she matures under very extraordinary circumstances.

Huffington Post

Mrs. Gore You all know what an extraordinary person Senator Joe Lieberman is, and I want you to know another very extraordinary person, a person who represents the very best of America, my friend Hadassah.

The New York Times

I've gotten to be a cheerleader for these very, very extraordinary and creative individuals," Bryce tells HuffPost Celebrity of her experience with "Project Imaginat10n".

Huffington Post

He was discovered by a photographer a little over 20 years ago, while working as a motorcycle courier in London and was subsequently signed by UGLY Models – a modelling agency specialising in very extraordinary faces.

Vice

He was discovered by a photographer a little over 20 years ago, while working as a motorcycle courier in London and was subsequently signed by UGLY Models – a modelling agency specialising in very extraordinary faces.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for synonyms such as "remarkably", "exceptionally", or "unusually" to modify adjectives, creating a more sophisticated and impactful expression.

Common error

Don't use "very" to intensify adjectives that are already absolute or extreme. Words like "unique", "perfect", and "extraordinary" don't need further emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very extraordinary" functions as an adjective phrase, intended to modify a noun by emphasizing its exceptional quality. However, Ludwig AI flags it as incorrect due to the redundant use of "very" with "extraordinary".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

18%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a very extraordinary" appears with some frequency across various sources, including News & Media and Science, it's considered grammatically incorrect due to redundancy. "Extraordinary" already implies a high degree, making "very" unnecessary. Ludwig AI recommends using stronger, more precise language such as "truly exceptional" or "remarkably unusual" to achieve the intended emphasis without weakening the expression. By avoiding this common error, writers can improve the clarity and sophistication of their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

truly exceptional

Replaces "extraordinary" with "exceptional" and "very" with "truly" for emphasis.

remarkably unusual

Substitutes "extraordinary" with "unusual" and "very" with "remarkably" to highlight rarity.

quite exceptional

Uses "quite" instead of "very" and "exceptional" in place of "extraordinary".

genuinely remarkable

Replaces "extraordinary" with "remarkable" and "very" with "genuinely" for sincerity.

unusually impressive

Changes "extraordinary" to "impressive" and "very" to "unusually" to denote impact.

singularly outstanding

Employs "singularly" instead of "very" and "outstanding" for "extraordinary", emphasizing uniqueness.

exceptionally rare

Uses "rare" instead of "extraordinary" and "exceptionally" for "very", focusing on scarcity.

decidedly uncommon

Substitutes "extraordinary" with "uncommon" and "very" with "decidedly", indicating infrequency.

distinctly remarkable

Replaces "extraordinary" with "remarkable" and "very" with "distinctly" to convey clarity.

patently unique

Changes "extraordinary" to "unique" and "very" to "patently" to emphasize individuality.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "a very extraordinary"?

No, using "very" with "extraordinary" is generally considered redundant. "Extraordinary" already implies a high degree, so adding "very" is unnecessary and weakens the statement. Consider using alternatives like "truly exceptional" or "remarkably unusual" instead.

What are some alternatives to "a very extraordinary"?

Instead of "a very extraordinary", you could use phrases such as "truly exceptional", "remarkably unusual", or "quite exceptional". These options avoid redundancy and provide a more refined expression.

How can I use "extraordinary" correctly in a sentence?

Use "extraordinary" on its own to describe something that is beyond the ordinary or exceptional. For example, "Her talent is extraordinary" or "The event was an extraordinary success". Avoid adding "very" before "extraordinary".

What is the difference between "extraordinary" and "very extraordinary"?

"Extraordinary" already means beyond the ordinary, so "very extraordinary" is redundant. The word "very" does not add value and can make the writing sound less sophisticated. Opt for "truly exceptional" or another similar phrase instead.