extraordinarily unusual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extraordinarily unusual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the uniqueness or rarity of something that is already considered unusual. Example: "The artist's latest work is extraordinarily unusual, defying all conventional styles and techniques."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

-- This open rebellion really is extraordinarily unusual.

The Washington Post

"It's an extraordinarily unusual request," he said.

The New York Times

You are living in an extraordinarily unusual time.

Yale University

These schools were organized from the ground up in ways that would be extraordinarily unusual".

The New York Times

Advertising executives described the N.F.L.'s action, reported by Reuters on Wednesday, as extraordinarily unusual.

The New York Times - Sports

He added: "It is so extraordinarily unusual that there are no artifacts there.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

A small area at the southern tip of Africa houses an extraordinarily rich and unusual variety of plants.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's one of the few facts to immediately emerge from the last days of Prince Rogers Nelson's extraordinarily productive and unusual life.

The Guardian - Music

While the total sum of costs will be decided by a court, Maurice Blackburn said in its statement that the total sum including costs "could exceed $100,000", in part because of the "extraordinarily lengthy and unusual first defence filed by Mr Latham in the case".

The Guardian

North Korea's state-controlled media were more subdued, but by its unusual standards, extraordinarily positive about engagement with the south.

The New York Times

Blocks of flats housing thousands as well as fashionable shops would complement this highly unusual and extraordinarily dramatic office complex.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extraordinarily unusual" to emphasize the exceptional rarity or deviation from the norm of something. It's stronger than simply saying "unusual".

Common error

Avoid using "extraordinarily unusual" in very casual or informal settings. Simpler alternatives like "very strange" or "really odd" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extraordinarily unusual" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns to emphasize their exceptional deviation from the norm. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a proper and usable expression. It intensifies the adjective "unusual", signifying a high degree of infrequency or peculiarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "extraordinarily unusual" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to emphasize the exceptional rarity or peculiarity of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid phrase. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal contexts, as overusing it in informal settings can sound stilted. Alternatives like "highly uncommon" or "remarkably unusual" can provide similar emphasis. The phrase is commonly found in news, media, and academic sources, indicating its widespread acceptance and applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceedingly unusual

Replaces "extraordinarily" with "exceedingly", offering a slightly different intensity of emphasis.

remarkably unusual

Substitutes "extraordinarily" with "remarkably", suggesting a noteworthy degree of unusualness.

highly uncommon

Replaces both words with synonyms, focusing on the rarity aspect.

exceptionally rare

Similar to "highly uncommon", emphasizing the infrequency of occurrence.

uncommonly strange

Shifts the focus slightly to the strangeness or oddity of something.

singularly peculiar

Uses more formal vocabulary to express a distinct oddity.

strikingly atypical

Emphasizes the deviation from the typical or norm.

unusually exceptional

Focuses on being exceptional and outside the norm.

patently bizarre

Highlights the bizarreness and obvious strangeness.

outlandishly odd

Conveys a sense of extreme and unconventional oddness.

FAQs

What does "extraordinarily unusual" mean?

The phrase "extraordinarily unusual" means something is very uncommon or deviates significantly from what is typically expected.

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

You can use "extraordinarily unusual" to describe things that are not just unusual but exceptionally so, like "The bird's plumage was "strikingly atypical" and could be called extraordinarily unusual."

What can I say instead of "extraordinarily unusual"?

You can use alternatives like "highly uncommon", "exceptionally rare", or "remarkably unusual" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "extraordinarily unusual"?

While both words imply rarity, "extraordinarily unusual" emphasizes the degree of rarity, making it acceptable when you want to highlight the exceptional nature of something. It isn't necessarily incorrect, just emphatic.