an unfamiliar

USAGE SUMMARY

"an unfamiliar" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is usually used as an adjective to describe something that is not well-known or recognizable. For example, "The family was faced with an unfamiliar decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is an unfamiliar feeling.

The New Yorker

Then came an unfamiliar sound.

The New York Times

Navigating an unfamiliar neighborhood?

Columbia University

Not an unfamiliar sight.

The Guardian - Sport

It's an unfamiliar situation.

The New Yorker

Find an unfamiliar word?

The New York Times

Gordon alone onstage is an unfamiliar sight.

The New Yorker

Brodhead found himself in an unfamiliar bind.

The New York Times - Sports

It was not an unfamiliar thrill.

The New York Times

This is not an unfamiliar drama.

The New Yorker

This was not an unfamiliar feeling.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an unfamiliar", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is unfamiliar and to whom. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "a unfamiliar" instead of "an unfamiliar". The correct article depends on the sound of the following word; use "an" before vowel sounds.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unfamiliar" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective modifying a noun. As shown in Ludwig, it indicates a lack of prior experience or knowledge regarding the noun it modifies, as in "an unfamiliar sound" or "an unfamiliar situation."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unfamiliar" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe something that is not known or previously experienced. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, including news, academia, and formal settings. When using this phrase, clarity is key to ensure effective communication. Ludwig's examples help illustrate the variety of ways this term can be applied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unknown

Emphasizes the lack of knowledge or awareness of something.

an unaccustomed

Implies a lack of habituation or experience with something.

a new

Simply indicates that something has not been encountered before.

a novel

Focuses on the newness or originality of something.

a strange

Highlights the odd or unusual nature of something.

an unconventional

Describes something that deviates from the standard or norm.

a foreign

Suggests something coming from a different place or context.

an unprecedented

Emphasizes the lack of prior occurrence or parallel.

a bizarre

Indicates something very atypical or out of the ordinary.

an unexampled

Highlights that there's no example of that thing before.

FAQs

How can I use "an unfamiliar" in a sentence?

You can use "an unfamiliar" to describe something someone is not acquainted with, such as "navigating "an unfamiliar neighborhood"" or experiencing "an unfamiliar feeling"".

What's the difference between "an unfamiliar" and "a strange"?

"An unfamiliar" generally refers to something not previously known or experienced, while "a strange" (/s/a+strange) implies something unusual or odd. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the lack of acquaintance or the oddity.

Which is correct, "an unfamiliar situation" or "a not familiar situation"?

"An unfamiliar situation" is grammatically correct and more concise. "A not familiar situation" is less common and can sound awkward. It's better to use "an unfamiliar situation".

What can I say instead of "an unfamiliar"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a new", "an unknown", or "a strange" to convey a similar meaning.