an unconventional

USAGE SUMMARY

"an unconventional" is correct and usable in written English.
This could be used to describe something that is not typical or expected. For example, "The girl's unconventional outfit made her stand out in the crowd."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Thus began an unconventional career.

The New York Times - Sports

Dobelle was an unconventional hire.

The New York Times - Magazine

SAC has an unconventional structure.

The New York Times

We had become an unconventional family.

The New York Times

The Parkers had an unconventional marriage.

The New York Times

It was an unconventional game.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Englund's volume joins an unconventional pantheon.

The New York Times - Books

Clarke grew up in an unconventional home.

The Guardian

Townsend Warner was an unconventional lesbian.

The Guardian - Books

The partnership is an unconventional one.

The New York Times

Muddled thinking or an unconventional take on the good Samaritan?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an unconventional" when you want to frame a departure from the norm as a deliberate or interesting choice rather than a mistake. It is particularly effective in professional profiles or descriptions of creative projects to signal innovation.

Common error

Avoid the phonetic error of using 'a' instead of 'an'; because 'unconventional' begins with a vowel sound, 'an' is mandatory. Additionally, do not use this phrase to describe something that is simply broken or poor quality; it should describe something that works or exists via a non-standard logic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unconventional" functions as an adjective phrase comprising an indefinite article and a qualitative adjective. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to modify nouns by attributing a quality of non-conformity. It is typically used in the attributive position (before the noun).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Social Media

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "an unconventional" is a robust and versatile phrase in the English language. Ludwig AI data confirms that it is favored by high-tier publications to describe everything from career paths to scientific strategies. It is grammatically stable, requiring the article "an" due to its leading vowel sound. Use it to add a layer of sophistication when describing subjects that break the mold in a meaningful or deliberate way. Whether in a news headline or a research paper, it remains a precise tool for denoting original thinking and non-traditional methods.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unorthodox

Often used in professional or technical contexts to describe methods that go against established doctrine.

a non-traditional

A direct synonym that explicitly highlights the departure from heritage or standard practices.

an unusual

A broader term that signifies something out of the ordinary, though less specific about tradition.

an offbeat

Suggests a more casual or creative deviation from the norm, often in arts or lifestyle.

an eccentric

Focuses more on personal character or behavior that is unconventional in a quirky way.

an alternative

Highlights that the choice is one of several options outside the mainstream path.

an idiosyncratic

Emphasizes a highly individual or peculiar way of doing things.

an avant-garde

Refers specifically to experimental or innovative ideas, particularly in the arts.

a novel

Suggests the approach is new and original, rather than just non-traditional.

a singular

Implies the subject is unique or exceptional in its deviation.

FAQs

How to use "an unconventional" in a sentence?

You can use it to modify any noun that departs from standard expectations, such as in the sentence: "She took <a href="/s/an+unconventional+path" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an unconventional path to success."

What can I say instead of "an unconventional"?

Depending on your context, you might use "<a href="/s/an+unorthodox" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an unorthodox", "<a href="/s/a+non-traditional" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a non-traditional", or "<a href="/s/an+offbeat" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an offbeat" approach.

Is "an unconventional" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, it is highly appropriate for formal contexts. It appears frequently in scientific journals to describe "<a href="/s/an+unconventional+strategy" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an unconventional strategy" or methodology.

What is the difference between "an unconventional" and "an unusual"?

While "<a href="/s/an+unusual" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an unusual" simply means rare or not common, "an unconventional" specifically implies a deviation from established traditions, customs, or 'rules'.