fairly unusual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly unusual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat uncommon or not typical. Example: "The weather this winter has been fairly unusual, with temperatures much warmer than average."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All this is fairly unusual.

Independent

This is fairly unusual.

The Guardian - Opinion

AB: I have a fairly unusual combination of hobbies.

Yale University

But it is fairly unusual to use a period.

The New York Times

What Ascent has done with Ms. McNeill is fairly unusual.

The New York Times

As donations go, it's a fairly unusual one.

The New York Times

It turns out that scenarios like this are fairly unusual.

The New York Times

They have a fairly unusual exemption from the standard EPA requirement of filtering drinking water.

University of California, Berkeley

It is fairly unusual for a ruling to have a delayed dramatic effect.

Yale University

In its closing stretches, some fairly unusual biological processes kick in.

Yale University

Flanagan's early life was a fairly unusual one for an author in the making.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly unusual" when you want to describe something that deviates from the norm without being extremely rare or bizarre. It strikes a balance between common and exceptional.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly unusual" when describing something truly extraordinary or unprecedented. Opt for stronger terms like "unique", "unprecedented", or "remarkable" to accurately convey the level of exceptionality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly unusual" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, where "fairly" modifies the adjective "unusual", serving to qualify the degree of deviation from what is considered typical or common. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

22%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fairly unusual" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something that is somewhat uncommon or atypical. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English. With 59 real-world examples, this adverb-adjective combination is prevalent in news, academic, and general content, making it a versatile choice for various contexts. Alternatives include "somewhat atypical", "rather uncommon", and "moderately exceptional". Remember to use "fairly unusual" to show that something deviates from the norm without being extremely rare or bizarre; if the thing you are trying to describe is extraordinarily rare use stronger terms to convey the level of exceptionality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat atypical

Suggests a slight deviation from the norm, similar to "fairly unusual" but emphasizes the deviation from a defined type.

rather uncommon

Emphasizes the infrequency of something, similar to "fairly unusual" but focuses on its rarity.

moderately exceptional

Highlights that something stands out from the ordinary to a degree.

somewhat extraordinary

Implies a noticeable departure from the typical, comparable to "fairly unusual" in its suggestion of something out of the ordinary.

relatively rare

Focuses on the scarcity of something, similar to "fairly unusual" but with a greater emphasis on its limited occurrence.

quite peculiar

Indicates strangeness or oddity, similar to "fairly unusual" but with a stronger implication of something being odd.

distinctively different

Highlights the uniqueness of something, similar to "fairly unusual" but emphasizing the divergence from a standard.

noticeably uncommon

Emphasizes that something is not frequently observed, similar to "fairly unusual" but highlighting the ease of noticing its rarity.

slightly out of the ordinary

Suggests a small deviation from what is typical or expected, similar to "fairly unusual" in its indication of something diverging from the normal.

somewhat unconventional

Highlights the lack of adherence to accepted norms or standards, similar to "fairly unusual" in its implication of something deviating from the established way.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly unusual" to describe something that is somewhat uncommon or not typical. For example: "It's "fairly unusual" for a ruling to have a delayed dramatic effect."

What are some alternatives to saying "fairly unusual"?

Alternatives include "somewhat atypical", "rather uncommon", or "moderately exceptional" depending on the context and the degree of unusualness you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "fairly unusual"?

Yes, "fairly unusual" is grammatically correct. "Fairly" is an adverb that modifies the adjective "unusual", indicating a moderate degree of unusualness. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

What's the difference between "fairly unusual" and "very unusual"?

"Fairly unusual" suggests something is moderately uncommon, while "very unusual" indicates a higher degree of rarity or unexpectedness. "Very unusual" implies a more significant departure from the norm than "fairly unusual".