as unusual

USAGE SUMMARY

"as unusual" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to compare the uniqueness or rarity of one thing to another. Example: "Her fashion sense was as unusual as her taste in music, always mixing bold patterns and colors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The accident was as unusual as it was horrific.

The Economist

This was not as unusual as it might seem.

The New Yorker

(5) Make it as unusual as you can.

The New Yorker

Groovy's management has been as unusual as his career.

The New York Times - Sports

Its cause was as unusual as its length.

The Guardian - Travel

MDI's business model is as unusual as its engine.

The New York Times - Magazine

She's not as unusual as one might think.

The New York Times

H. G. Adler's fate was as unusual as his art.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

In the fight against "business-as-usual" in Washington, Avue helps power "business-as-unusual".

Huffington Post

(Notice the arresting officer in the background, all business-as-unusual).

Huffington Post

What inspired these leaders to act in a business-as-unusual way?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as unusual" to draw comparisons and emphasize the degree to which something deviates from the norm. This phrase works well when contrasting two unexpected elements.

Common error

While grammatically sound, repeatedly using "as unusual" might sound repetitive. In formal writing, consider diversifying your vocabulary with synonyms like "atypical", "extraordinary", or "exceptional" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as unusual" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. As Ludwig AI explains, it serves to highlight a degree of divergence from what is typical or expected, often in comparison to another element. Examples in Ludwig show how it links two distinct subjects based on their shared atypicality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as unusual" is a grammatically correct and versatile comparative adjective phrase used to emphasize the atypical nature of something by drawing a parallel to another element. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English. It appears frequently in news media and academic writing, suggesting a neutral register. While alternatives like "as atypical" or "as uncommon" exist, "as unusual" holds its own due to its balanced tone. The phrase's communicative power lies in its ability to highlight the unexpected, making it a valuable tool for writers seeking to add intrigue and depth to their descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as atypical

Emphasizes deviation from a typical or normal example.

as uncommon

Highlights the infrequency of something.

as extraordinary

Suggests something is beyond what is ordinary or usual.

as peculiar

Indicates something is strange or odd.

as exceptional

Implies something is markedly better than average, hence not usual.

as rare

Focuses on the scarcity of something.

as singular

Stresses the uniqueness of something.

as unprecedented

Emphasizes that something has never happened before.

as unfamiliar

Highlights the lack of recognition or prior knowledge.

as odd

Conveys a sense of strangeness or peculiarity.

FAQs

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

The phrase "as unusual" is used to compare something to something else that is not typical or common. For instance, "His behavior was "as unusual as" his attire, making him quite a memorable character."

What are some alternatives to "as unusual"?

You can use alternatives such as "as atypical", "as uncommon", or "as extraordinary" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "as unusual as" or "as strange as"?

Both "as unusual as" and "as strange as" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Unusual" implies a deviation from the norm, while "strange" suggests something is odd or peculiar. The better choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

What makes something described "as unusual" different from something described "as unique"?

"Unusual" implies something deviates from the typical or common, while "unique" means one of a kind. Something "as unusual" might still have similar counterparts, while something "as unique" has no direct equivalent.