is rather unique

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is rather unique" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is quite distinctive or one-of-a-kind, often emphasizing its uniqueness in a moderate way. Example: "The design of the building is rather unique, setting it apart from the other structures in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is rather unique in New York".

The New York Times

But he is rather unique in his approach.

The Washington Post

It gets us together, it entertains people and it is rather unique".

The New York Times

One major reason why is that each state is rather unique.

The Washington Post

Freedom of Speech in Europe and the U.S. "The First Amendment is rather unique.

Harvard University

The call is rather unique ringing "peee-peee-pew-pu," quite different from Chestnut-colored.

Cornell University

But it is rather unique and it sets the mark on the particular status of the married condition.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This does seem to stress again that the dog is rather unique and highly amenable for these approaches.

Nature

In practice, it's a mutually beneficial, messy, complicated pedagogic space that is rather unique within the larger University.

Princeton University

"This industry is rather unique," said Norman R. Augustine, a former chief executive of Lockheed Martin Corporation and a former Army under secretary.

The New York Times

"This is rather unique — much more difficult for Republicans than in past transitions," said Eric Vautour, a former Reagan administration official who recruits former officials for lobbying jobs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for strong emphasis on the originality of something, consider bolstering the phrase with clarifying details immediately afterwards, e.g., "This approach is rather unique, incorporating elements rarely seen in similar methodologies."

Common error

Avoid using "is rather unique" excessively in a single piece of writing, as overuse can dilute its impact. Choose it purposefully to emphasize particular instances of uniqueness, not as a generic descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather unique" functions as a descriptive phrase, primarily used to attribute a quality of distinctiveness to a subject. As demonstrated by examples on Ludwig, the phrase highlights that something stands out from the ordinary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is rather unique" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression employed to denote a moderate degree of distinctiveness. With Ludwig confirming its correctness and widespread use, it's clear that this phrase finds application across diverse fields such as news, academia, and science. To achieve clarity and precision in your writing, it is important to use "is rather unique" judiciously, bearing in mind the specific context and intended level of emphasis. While alternatives exist, the core function of highlighting uniqueness remains consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is truly one-of-a-kind

Emphasizes that the thing is without other like it.

is quite distinctive

Emphasizes distinctiveness more directly than uniqueness.

is uniquely special

Combines the concepts of uniqueness and specialness for emphasis.

is fairly uncommon

Focuses on the rarity aspect rather than the exceptional nature.

is somewhat exceptional

Highlights the exceptional quality, adding a layer of value judgment.

is notably different

Stresses the difference from the norm.

is particularly special

Emphasizes the special nature, implying positive attributes.

is remarkably singular

Uses a more formal tone to underscore the exceptional nature.

stands out noticeably

Highlights how something attracts attention because of its qualities.

is distinctly individual

Focuses on the specific individual characteristics that make it unique.

FAQs

How can I use "is rather unique" in a sentence?

Use "is rather unique" to describe something that is distinctive or uncommon. For example, "The design of this building "is rather unique", setting it apart from other structures."

What's the difference between "is rather unique" and "is very unique"?

"Is rather unique" implies a moderate degree of uniqueness, whereas "is very unique" suggests a stronger, more pronounced level of distinctiveness. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intensity of the uniqueness you wish to convey.

Which is more appropriate, "is rather unique" or "is quite unique"?

Both "is rather unique" and "is quite unique" are acceptable, but "is quite unique" generally indicates a slightly higher degree of uniqueness. The choice depends on the specific context and the level of emphasis desired.

Are there situations where "is rather unique" might not be the best choice?

If you need to strongly emphasize that something is absolutely unprecedented, consider using phrases like "is truly one of a kind" or "is completely unprecedented" instead. "Is rather unique" works best for highlighting distinctive qualities without extreme emphasis.