an unusual development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unusual development" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that is unexpected or not typical. Example: "The sudden increase in temperatures during winter was considered an unusual development by meteorologists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

An enviable acquisition from a major New York publisher is an unusual development in the life of a Broadway baby, mostly confined to Tony Award-winning divas like Carol Channing, Patti LuPone, and Kristin Chenoweth, whose memoirs are manna for show queens.

The New York Times - Books

This is not exactly an unusual development.

The New York Times - Sports

The auction has even drawn interest from foreign bidders, an unusual development for Russian privatizations.

The New York Times

But in an unusual development for award shows, the deal was extended for two years.

The New York Times

In an unusual development, McSorley refused to participate in his hearing at league headquarters in New York.

The New York Times - Sports

But just below the surface lies an unusual development story, one that seeks to preserve Austin's honky-tonk culture.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

After the Kepler satellite recorded irregular flickering of light from KIC 8462852, or "Tabby's Star," scientists found a century of data that revealed the star had dimmed 20% over the last century, an extremely unusual development for a star of that type.

Science Magazine

But in a highly unusual development, when the judge polled the jurors on Monday, three members said that verdict did not represent their views.

The New York Times

The Japanese yen and the Swiss franc also rallied strongly against the dollar, a highly unusual development since interest rates are still comparatively low in both those countries.

The New York Times

In a highly unusual development, Labour, the official opposition, joined forces with one arm of the coalition, the Lib Dems, to vote down a proposal (Dominic Raab's amendment) that was branded illegal and unworkable by the dominant Conservative arm of the coalition.

The Guardian

In a quite unusual development, the government, the main trade unions, farmers and industrialists came together and agreed on a program of fiscal austerity, slashing corporate taxes to 12.5percentt, far below the rest of Europe, moderating wages and prices, and aggressively courting foreign investment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an unusual development", ensure the context clearly establishes what the norm or expected course of events would be. This helps emphasize the deviation and its significance.

Common error

Avoid using "an unusual development" to describe something that is merely undesirable or negative. The phrase should be reserved for situations that genuinely deviate from established patterns or expectations, not just personal preferences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unusual development" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a specific event or situation that deviates from what is typical or expected. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unusual development" is a noun phrase used to describe an event or situation that deviates from the norm. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in English. It commonly appears in news and media, scientific articles, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's essential to establish the expected norm to highlight the deviation effectively. While grammatically sound and frequently used in reputable sources, misuse can occur when describing merely undesirable events rather than true deviations from established patterns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a remarkable turn of events

Emphasizes the unexpected and noteworthy nature of the event, highlighting its deviation from the norm.

an atypical situation

Focuses on the situation being not typical or representative of similar occurrences.

a peculiar occurrence

Highlights the strangeness or oddity of the event, suggesting it's out of the ordinary.

an unexpected twist

Implies a sudden and unforeseen change in circumstances or events.

an extraordinary event

Stresses the exceptional or remarkable nature of the occurrence.

a singular instance

Indicates that the event is unique and stands apart from others.

an unprecedented happening

Suggests that there is no prior instance or example of the event occurring.

a deviation from the norm

Highlights how the development differs from what is considered standard or typical.

a rare phenomenon

Emphasizes the infrequency and exceptional nature of the event.

an anomalous incident

Focuses on the irregularity and deviation from expected patterns of the event.

FAQs

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

You can use "an unusual development" to describe something unexpected. For example: "The decrease in sales during the holiday season was an unusual development."

What's a good alternative to "an unusual development"?

Alternatives include "a remarkable turn of events", "an atypical situation", or "a peculiar occurrence" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "an unusual development"?

It is appropriate when you want to highlight that something is not typical or expected based on prior experience or established patterns. Using this implies a deviation from the norm, making it noticeable and worthy of mention.

What makes "an unusual development" different from just a "development"?

The adjective "unusual" emphasizes that the development is not ordinary. Simply stating "a development" doesn't carry the same implication of something being out of the ordinary.