an unusual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unusual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not typical or expected. Example: "She wore an unusual dress that caught everyone's attention at the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's an unusual collection.

The New York Times - Arts

It's an unusual vantage.

The New York Times

"It's an unusual feeling".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's an unusual situation.

The New York Times

It's an unusual business.

The New Yorker

It was an unusual match.

The New York Times - Arts

He had an unusual character.

The New Yorker

Still, he's an unusual figure.

The New York Times

It was an unusual gesture.

The New Yorker

It was an unusual sight.

The New York Times

"He's an unusual athlete, an unusual fighter.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an unusual" to describe something that deviates from the norm but isn't necessarily negative. It implies a sense of curiosity or interest, rather than pure strangeness.

Common error

Avoid using "an unusual" as a catch-all term. Instead, consider whether words like 'rare', 'exceptional', or 'atypical' might more accurately convey the specific nuance you intend.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unusual" typically functions as a pre-modifying adjective in a noun phrase. Ludwig shows that it serves to describe and characterize the noun that follows, indicating that the noun possesses qualities that are not typical or common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an unusual" is a versatile descriptor used to denote something that deviates from the norm. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "rare" or "atypical" exist, "an unusual" strikes a balance between formality and accessibility, making it a useful tool for highlighting distinctiveness without being overly technical or esoteric. Remember to use it judiciously, ensuring it adds genuine descriptive value to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an uncommon

Replaces 'unusual' with 'uncommon', suggesting something not frequently encountered.

a rare

Substitutes 'unusual' with 'rare', emphasizing the infrequency of something.

an atypical

Employs 'atypical' as an alternative to 'unusual', indicating a deviation from the norm.

an exceptional

Replaces 'unusual' with 'exceptional', focusing on the superior or outstanding quality.

an extraordinary

Replaces 'unusual' with 'extraordinary', emphasizing something beyond the ordinary.

a singular

Uses 'singular' instead of 'unusual' to highlight the unique and distinct nature.

a remarkable

Replaces 'unusual' with 'remarkable', highlighting something worthy of attention.

a peculiar

Substitutes 'unusual' with 'peculiar', suggesting something odd or strange.

an odd

Uses 'odd' instead of 'unusual', implying something strange or unconventional.

a surprising

Employs 'surprising' as an alternative to 'unusual', indicating something unexpected.

FAQs

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

You can use "an unusual" to describe something that deviates from what is typical or expected. For example, "She had "an unusual talent" for playing the violin" or "It was "an unusual experience" visiting that remote village".

What can I say instead of "an unusual"?

You can use alternatives like "an atypical", "an uncommon", or "a rare" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "an unusual occurrence" or "a unusual occurrence"?

"An unusual occurrence" is correct because 'unusual' begins with a vowel sound, requiring the indefinite article 'an' instead of 'a'.

What's the difference between "an unusual" and "an unique"?

"Unique" inherently means 'one of a kind', so it doesn't make sense to say "an unique". It's more appropriate to say "an unusual" when describing something that is not typical, while "unique" should be used when something is truly one of a kind.