be unique about something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be unique about something" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize the importance of having a distinct perspective or approach regarding a specific topic. Example: "In order to stand out in the market, you need to be unique about your branding strategy."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Be unique about something.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

V. cholerae O1 exhibited a positive association with only G. lamblia, suggesting that something may be unique about the co-occurrence of those 2 gastrointestinal pathogens.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

I sort of realized that something was unique about them because I kept thinking about my future and I had a future that I could think about.

Huffington Post

Children living in poverty have long been known to have lower scores on standardized tests, poorer grades in school, and lower attainment, and as they reach adulthood earn less than their peers, the study said. . "The part that's unique about this is by measuring something physical and concrete, you can much more easily see the influence of poverty.

Vice

Find out something that is unique about them, have an open ear.

Forbes

"I would try to find an interesting angle to my story and something that's unique about my product," suggests Sylvain Gauchet.

BBC

You've got to find something that's unique about you and see how to really put that forth and make that appetizing for the public.

Huffington Post

While every human experience is unique, there is something about occupying a body that is universal.

Huffington Post

He wasn't sure if she would be classified as beautiful, but there was something unique about her, something that stood out.

The New Yorker

Instead, talk about something that's unique, and that gives you some honest yet humble pride.

WikiHow

It may be that there was something unique about these consultations which changed the context of the review sufficiently to allow the GP to respond to patient cues.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to stand out, specify the area where you want to "be unique about something". Instead of general uniqueness, focus on a specific skill, perspective, or offering.

Common error

Avoid using "be unique about something" without specifying the context. Being generally "unique" is less impactful than having a distinct approach in a particular area.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be unique about something" functions as an imperative, urging someone to adopt a distinctive stance or quality. While Ludwig identifies examples, it also notes that the phrase isn't standard, thus suggesting that it might be better replaced with alternative phrasing for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be unique about something" encourages distinctiveness but is not considered standard English. Ludwig's analysis reveals that while understandable, it's often better to opt for clearer and more common alternatives such as "cultivate a unique perspective" or "distinguish yourself". The phrase appears across different contexts, including news and science, but its rarity suggests that it should be used sparingly. Considering the potential for awkwardness, focusing on specific areas of uniqueness rather than general distinctiveness is recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinguish yourself

Highlights setting oneself apart from others through unique qualities.

adopt a unique approach

Focuses on employing a distinctive method or strategy.

have a distinctive take on

Highlights having an individual or unique viewpoint or approach.

cultivate a unique perspective

Emphasizes developing a distinctive viewpoint rather than a general uniqueness.

carve out a unique identity

Stresses the creation of a distinctive personal or professional identity.

offer a unique contribution

Focuses on providing something different or original.

develop a unique angle

Focuses on finding a distinct approach to a specific situation or topic.

bring a unique flavour

Highlights the introduction of a distinctive quality or characteristic.

find your niche

Highlights specialization and finding a specific area of expertise.

specialize in something

Focuses on developing expertise in a specific area, making one unique in that field.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be unique about something" to sound more natural?

You can use alternatives like "cultivate a unique perspective", "develop a unique angle", or "specialize in something" depending on the context. See also: "distinguish yourself".

Is "be unique about something" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "be unique about something" can sound awkward. It's better to use clearer phrases like "have a unique perspective on", or "be distinctive in your approach to".

What does it mean to "be unique about something"?

It means to have a distinctive perspective, skill, or approach in a particular area, setting yourself apart from others. For similar ideas check this link: "carve out a unique identity".

In what contexts can I use "be unique about something"?

This phrase is best used when you want to emphasize the importance of having a distinct perspective or approach regarding a specific topic. However, more common phrases are preferred. A related topic is: "offer a unique contribution".