a very special one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very special one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the uniqueness or significance of a person, object, or event. Example: "This gift is not just any present; it's a very special one that I've chosen just for you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"This was an emotional night, a very special one".

The Guardian - Sport

The contract was a very special one, not to say unusual.

Harvard University

The story of my maternal grandparents, however, is a very special one.

The Guardian

This week he's got a very special one – Washed Out (his 633rd tip, no less) make sun-baked, lo-fi chillout music.

The Guardian - Music

"This was an emotional night, a very special one". "We wanted to be worthy of this stage," the Celta manager Luis Enrique said, describing his team as "privileged" to have been invited to this occasion.

The Guardian - Sport

dlew22 My Family and Other Animals, by Gerald Durrell I have been inspired by many wonderful travel books, but there is a very special one that I return to time after time.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Black Lips are coming back to play a very special one-off show at London's Heaven  on September 16th.

Vice

There are high-concept comics, and then there is Transformers Vs GI Joe: The Movie Adaptation, a very special one-off published this week by IDW.

The Guardian - Books

The writer went to only one high school, a very special, one-of-a-kind private school that happened to be in the Bronx, and the time that he went there was the nineteen-seventies.

The New Yorker

Or maybe for a certain very special one?

Forbes

And something very very very very very very special!" one Sims nut enthuses on partysims.com.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a very special one" to emphasize the unique qualities or significance of a particular item, event, or person, setting it apart from the ordinary.

Common error

Avoid using "a very special one" excessively in formal writing; opt for more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "a particularly remarkable case" or "an exceptionally unique item" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very special one" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically acting as a predicate nominative or object complement. According to Ludwig AI, it emphasizes the unique or significant nature of a noun, denoting it as distinct from others. Examples show it commonly follows linking verbs to describe a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

15%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a very special one" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that serves to emphasize the uniqueness or significance of a particular noun. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's most frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki contexts. When using this phrase, consider the level of formality required and choose more precise alternatives for professional or academic writing to prevent overuse. Remember that while it effectively conveys a sense of distinctiveness, strategic usage ensures maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extraordinary instance

Uses stronger adjective "extraordinary" and replaces "one" with "instance" for a more formal tone.

a particularly remarkable case

Employs "particularly remarkable" to highlight the noteworthiness, changing "one" to "case".

a truly exceptional item

Replaces "very special" with "truly exceptional" and "one" with "item", focusing on the superior quality.

an especially significant occasion

Substitutes "very special" with "especially significant" and "one" with "occasion", emphasizing importance.

a notably unique event

Uses "notably unique" instead of "very special" and "event" in place of "one", stressing distinctiveness.

a memorable occurrence

Focuses on the impact of the occasion, replacing "very special one" with "memorable occurrence".

a treasured experience

Highlights the value and emotional connection, changing the phrase to "treasured experience".

a one-of-a-kind thing

Emphasizes uniqueness by using "one-of-a-kind thing" instead of "a very special one".

a rare phenomenon

Highlights the infrequency and exceptional nature, using "rare phenomenon" instead.

a pivotal moment

Focuses on the importance and potential consequences, changing the phrase to "pivotal moment".

FAQs

How can I use "a very special one" in a sentence?

You can use "a very special one" to highlight the importance or uniqueness of something, as in "This edition is "a very special one" because it includes never-before-seen content".

What can I say instead of "a very special one"?

You can use alternatives like "an exceptional instance", "a unique case", or "a rare occurrence" depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a very special one" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a very special one" might sound too informal for certain professional or academic contexts. Consider using more sophisticated alternatives such as "a particularly remarkable case".

What distinguishes "a very special one" from "a special one"?

Adding "very" intensifies the adjective "special", emphasizing the uniqueness or significance to a greater degree than simply stating "a special one". However, use it judiciously to avoid sounding repetitive.