kind of unusual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of unusual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat out of the ordinary or not typical. Example: "The weather today is kind of unusual for this time of year, with temperatures much warmer than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

It's kind of unusual and mysterious.

The Guardian - Film

It's kind of unusual, it's kind of scary as well".

Independent

Journey is kind of unusual for not having a villain.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"It sounds kind of unusual," he says with a laugh.

The New York Times - Travel

I'm kind of unusual that way, but it gives me clarity and purpose".

The New Yorker

I mean, it would look kind of unusual walking into a restaurant with those rings on".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

We saw countless penguins, enormous seals, all kinds of unusual birds.

The Guardian

Like Ong, he had a vague memory that quinine was capable of causing all kinds of unusual side effects.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is set in the very magical Chrestomanci Castle, a place where all kinds of unusual things happen.

The Guardian

You could find all kinds of unusual fruit and vegetables there, from white carrots to 20 to 40 kinds of tomato.

Independent

But to entertain a television audience, Mr. Robbins has to call on all kinds of unusual outside resources — fancy resorts (albeit the one he owns), yoga classes and skydivers.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of unusual" when you want to subtly express that something deviates from the norm without being overly critical or judgmental. It's useful for softening potentially negative observations.

Common error

Avoid relying on "kind of unusual" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound vague and uninspired. Instead, consider using more precise adjectives or descriptive phrases to convey the specific nature of the unusual aspect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of unusual" functions as an adjectival modifier, softening the description of something as unusual. It indicates that something deviates from the norm to some extent, but not necessarily to a great degree. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

18%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kind of unusual" serves as a versatile adjectival modifier used to express a mild deviation from the norm. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in various sources, particularly in News & Media and Science. While acceptable in most contexts, writers should be mindful of overuse and consider more precise language in formal settings. Alternatives like "somewhat atypical" or "slightly peculiar" can provide more nuanced descriptions. Its widespread use suggests that "kind of unusual" is a valuable tool for expressing subtle differences and softening potentially negative observations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat atypical

Emphasizes the deviation from the norm in a subtle way.

slightly peculiar

Highlights the odd or strange aspect of something.

rather uncommon

Focuses on the infrequency of occurrence.

a bit extraordinary

Suggests something is beyond the ordinary, possibly impressive.

somewhat rare

Stresses the scarcity of the subject.

moderately singular

Implies distinctiveness and uniqueness to a noticeable degree.

fairly exceptional

Indicates a higher level of quality or difference than usual.

relatively unfamiliar

Highlights a lack of prior knowledge or experience with the subject.

sort of strange

Emphasizes the oddness or bizarreness of the subject.

pretty curious

Draws attention to the intriguing or interesting nature of the subject.

FAQs

How can I use "kind of unusual" in a sentence?

You can use "kind of unusual" to describe something that is not typical or expected. For example: "The weather today is "kind of unusual" for July." or "His behavior at the party was "kind of unusual".

What are some alternatives to "kind of unusual"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "somewhat atypical", "slightly peculiar", or "rather uncommon". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "kind of unusual"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Kind of" is an informal way to express "somewhat" or "rather", and it's commonly used in spoken and written English. However, be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your writing; in formal contexts, more precise language may be preferable.

What's the difference between "kind of unusual" and "very unusual"?

"Kind of unusual" implies a milder degree of unexpectedness or atypicality compared to "very unusual". "Very unusual" suggests something is significantly out of the ordinary, while "kind of unusual" indicates a more subtle deviation.