it was unprecedented

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was unprecedented" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or situation that has never happened before or is without precedent. Example: "The response to the crisis was unprecedented, showcasing the community's resilience and unity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It was unprecedented in its intensity, in its viciousness, in its length of time, and in the number of arrests.

The New Yorker

It was unprecedented in its scope -- 196 nations with different sources of leverage and different interests.

Huffington Post

It was unprecedented fun.

The New York Times

I think it was unprecedented".

The New York Times

"It was unprecedented," Levenson added.

The Guardian

By nonmilitary, it was unprecedented.

Harvard Business Review

"For everybody, it was unprecedented.

The New York Times

Bartelstein said it was unprecedented.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It was unprecedented--an Israeli opposition party acting against their government lobbying the US Congress to turn against the policy of our government.

HuffPost

He Took Pole Vault to New Heights in '40s : Track and field: Warmerdam cleared 15 feet when it was unprecedented--with a bamboo pole.

Los Angeles Times

If today that is commonplace, at the time it was unprecedented.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was unprecedented" to emphasize the novelty and significance of an event. Ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared against to demonstrate the lack of prior occurrence.

Common error

Avoid using "it was unprecedented" as a mere exaggeration. Ensure there is genuine evidence or context to support the claim that the event or situation truly lacks precedent, otherwise your message may become less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was unprecedented" serves as a descriptive statement, indicating that a particular event, action, or situation has never occurred before. It typically functions as a comment on the novelty and uniqueness of the subject being described. As shown in Ludwig's examples, this phrase is commonly found across various contexts to highlight the extraordinary nature of an event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was unprecedented" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote an event or situation lacking historical precedence. Ludwig AI affirms its validity. Its usage spans across various contexts, with the majority appearing in news and media, followed by academic and formal business settings. While the phrase itself is neutral, its impact lies in emphasizing the significance and uniqueness of the subject it describes. To ensure credibility, it is advised to use this phrase judiciously, with a clear and substantiated basis for claiming a lack of precedent. The range of alternative phrases, such as "it was unheard of" or "it was unparalleled", offer nuanced ways to express the novelty of an event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it had no precedent

Focuses on the lack of prior examples or legal standing.

it was unheard of

Emphasizes the surprising or shocking nature of the event.

it was unparalleled

Highlights the uniqueness and lack of comparable instances.

it was exceptional

Emphasizes the rarity and high quality of the event or situation.

it was singular

Stresses the distinct and individual nature of the event.

it was groundbreaking

Implies innovation and the establishment of a new standard.

it was unprecedented in its history

Adds additional context about the specific setting where something new is happening.

it defied precedent

Emphasizes the conflict or contradiction with existing norms.

it broke new ground

Highlights the act of pioneering or introducing something new.

it had never happened before

States the novelty in a straightforward and literal manner.

FAQs

How can I use "it was unprecedented" in a sentence?

Use "it was unprecedented" to describe something that has never happened before. For example: "The level of community support "it was unprecedented", showing how much people cared."

What's a good alternative to "it was unprecedented"?

Alternatives include "it was unheard of", "it was unparalleled", or "it was exceptional", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it was unprecedented"?

Yes, it is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to describe something that has never occurred before. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in writing.

What does "it was unprecedented" mean?

It means something had no prior occurrence or example. It emphasizes the novelty and uniqueness of an event or situation.