fairly unique

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly unique" is commonly used in written English, though it can be seen as contradictory since "unique" implies something is one of a kind.
You can use it when describing something that is somewhat distinctive or different, but not entirely so. Example: "The artist's style is fairly unique, blending traditional techniques with modern influences."

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is fairly unique.

The Guardian - Sport

It is a fairly unique set of circumstances.

The Guardian

"For now, I'll just say it's fairly unique".

The New York Times

"Both have a style that's fairly unique," Groh said.

The New York Times - Sports

It is a fairly unique qualification to have.

The Guardian

Inclusive leaders do — and in a fairly unique way.

Harvard Business Review

"But it could potentially accommodate more brands that are fairly unique, and Alfa Romeo is a fairly unique brand and has a very specific message.

The New York Times

"I think this is a fairly unique transaction based on a fairly unique theory," said Mark Powell, an antitrust lawyer in Brussels at White & Case.

The New York Times

"I think the deal was done in a fairly unique set of circumstances".

The New York Times

I didn't know until later on that that was fairly unique.

The Guardian - Music

"We're trying to use fairly unique architecture and not the things you see every day.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fairly unique", consider if a more precise term like "distinctive" or "uncommon" would better convey your intended meaning, as "unique" technically implies one-of-a-kind.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly unique" when describing something that is genuinely commonplace. Ensure the subject possesses characteristics that set it apart to a noticeable degree.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly unique" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a degree of distinctiveness. Ludwig examples show it qualifies various subjects from "architecture" to "philosophical position". While somewhat debated, Ludwig AI identifies it as generally acceptable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fairly unique" is a commonly used adjective phrase that suggests a notable degree of distinctiveness. Despite the inherent contradiction of the word "unique", Ludwig AI deems it acceptable. While you can use it, consider if a more precise term might be more suitable. It appears most frequently in news and media sources, with neutral register. When writing, be sure to use it to describe only things that are truly uncommon and avoid using it to describe commonplace things. Alternatives such as "somewhat unique" or "relatively unique" could work too.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unique

Replaces "fairly" with "somewhat", softening the degree of uniqueness.

relatively unique

Substitutes "fairly" with "relatively", indicating uniqueness is being considered in comparison to something else.

quite distinctive

Uses "distinctive" instead of "unique", highlighting a quality of standing out, while "quite" replaces "fairly".

moderately singular

Replaces both "fairly" and "unique" with synonyms, indicating a limited degree of being one of a kind.

noticeably different

Shifts the focus to difference rather than uniqueness, implying a clear distinction from others.

unusually specific

Indicates a high degree of specificity, which can imply uniqueness in a particular context.

remarkably uncommon

Emphasizes the rarity of something, suggesting it's not frequently encountered.

distinctly individual

Highlights the separate and particular nature of something, suggesting a unique character.

partially unparalleled

Suggests something is unmatched to some extent, but not completely.

singular to some degree

Acknowledges that something is unique, but only within certain limitations or aspects.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "fairly unique"?

While technically "unique" means one of a kind, the phrase "fairly unique" is commonly used to describe something that is somewhat distinctive or different, but not entirely one-of-a-kind. Ludwig AI considers it acceptable.

What are some alternatives to "fairly unique"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat unique", "relatively unique", or "quite distinctive" depending on the context.

In what contexts is "fairly unique" most appropriately used?

The phrase "fairly unique" is suitable in contexts where you want to emphasize that something is different or special in some way, but you don't want to claim that it is completely unparalleled. Common contexts include describing styles, methods, or perspectives.

How does the meaning of "fairly unique" differ from "very unique"?

"Fairly unique" implies a moderate level of uniqueness, suggesting something stands out to a certain extent. "Very unique", while also potentially contradictory, implies a higher degree of distinctiveness. In many cases, it's best to avoid both and opt for a more descriptive adjective.