in a class of its own

USAGE SUMMARY

"in a class of its own" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that is considered to be particularly special or of exceptionally high quality. For example, "This restaurant is in a class of its own; their food is truly remarkable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Tesco, Britain's biggest supermarket, is in a class of its own when it comes to apostrophe abuse.

The Guardian

And of course, this unassuming plane has a brilliantly "backward" ability that puts it in a class of its own.

BBC

This has long been rumored to be the Touch II, but the specs put it in a class of its own.

TechCrunch

It's his ability to create things that are both emotive and rugged that makes his work powerful and puts it in a class of its own. .

Vice

As dad-rotica goes, thankfully it's in a class of its own.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Some fans claim HBO's fantasy mega-hit has lacked pace this season, but it remains in a class of its own.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's in a class of its own.

Huffington Post

Juicy and tender and house dry-aged for 28 days; it's in a class of its own.

Huffington Post

But this is not true with the Eagle; it is clearly in a class of its own on all three counts.

Independent

Though it seems to belong in a class of its own, "The Keep" does have two interesting antecedents.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now Russia has given us "To the Struggle Against World Terrorism," another XXL, in-a-class-of-its-own monument.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a class of its own" to emphasize the exceptional quality or uniqueness of something compared to others in its category. This phrase is suitable when you want to express that something stands apart due to its superior attributes or characteristics.

Common error

While "in a class of its own" is a strong phrase, avoid using it for mundane or ordinary subjects. Reserve it for situations where the subject truly exhibits outstanding qualities that set it apart from the competition. Using it indiscriminately can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a class of its own" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to express that it is uniquely superior or exceptional. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and effectively communicates the idea of unparalleled quality. Examples show its use across various subjects, from restaurants to athletic performances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in a class of its own" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote something exceptional or unique. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. It's most frequently found in News & Media contexts, emphasizing outstanding qualities. When using this phrase, aim to highlight genuine exceptionalism, avoiding overuse in mundane scenarios. Alternatives like "unparalleled" or "second to none" can offer nuanced emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unparalleled

Emphasizes the lack of comparison; nothing else measures up.

unique in its kind

Highlights the distinctiveness and singularity of the subject.

one of a kind

Similar to 'unique in its kind', stresses the rarity and special nature.

second to none

Indicates superiority, suggesting that it's the best and unsurpassed.

without equal

Like 'unparalleled', focuses on the absence of anything comparable.

peerless

Highlights that there are no peers or equals in terms of quality or status.

incomparable

Stresses the impossibility of comparing it to others due to its superiority.

matchless

Implies that it has no equal and stands out distinctively.

unequaled

Similar to 'matchless' and 'without equal', underscores the lack of comparable items.

unsurpassed

Suggests it has reached a level of excellence that no other has achieved.

FAQs

How can I use "in a class of its own" in a sentence?

You can use "in a class of its own" to describe something that is unique or exceptional. For example, "The chef's innovative cooking style puts his restaurant "in a class of its own"."

What does "in a class of its own" mean?

The phrase "in a class of its own" means that something is so outstanding or unique that it cannot be compared to anything else. It signifies that something is superior and without equal.

What are some alternatives to saying "in a class of its own"?

Alternatives to "in a class of its own" include "unparalleled", "second to none", or "one of a kind". These phrases all suggest something is uniquely excellent.

Is it appropriate to use "in a class of its own" in formal writing?

Yes, "in a class of its own" is suitable for formal writing when you want to emphasize the exceptional quality or uniqueness of something. However, use it judiciously to maintain a professional tone.