most unique thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most unique thing" is often considered incorrect in formal English because "unique" implies a singular quality that cannot be graded. You can use it in informal contexts where emphasis is desired, but it's better to avoid it in formal writing. An example could be: "The most unique thing about her painting is the use of color." Alternative expressions include "the most distinctive thing" or "the most exceptional thing."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"A pitcher with a baseball in his hand is the most unique thing in sports.

The New York Times - Sports

But it's less recognised that what strikes us as the most unique thing about El Greco - his radical assault on expected ways of depicting the body in space - is deeply indebted to Italian art.

The Guardian

You were scared by it, but pleasantly". Henry Ford, who played the title role in "The Wrong Man," said "I think his humor was the most unique thing about him.

The Washington Post

The most unique thing about their mobile app is that it offers photo-based invoicing.

TechCrunch

"The most unique thing about the city is its geography - its location in the heart of the country.

BBC

The first and most unique thing you'll notice about the Acer Chromebook 15 is its sheer size.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

One of the most unique things about CrowdOptic's technology is that, unlike modelling software, it takes an analytics-based approach, so it can track an object as it moves.

Forbes

"As we talk about organizing content and relevance — the real time signal is still one of the most unique things that Twitter has, that nobody else has," says Weil. "That's still critically important to us.

TechCrunch

Many of the actors said this opportunity to talk with the audience was one of the most unique things about the Cedar City Festival that they cherish.

Huffington Post

We still have a large group of songs that we choose from, and I have a large group of songs that I can choose from here--but I've been choosing to play this more modern music because I feel like it's the most unique, interesting thing I'm doing.

Huffington Post

"A mathematical point is the most indivisible and unique thing which art can present," he said.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In informal contexts, "most unique thing" is acceptable for emphasis, but be aware of the potential for criticism from grammar purists.

Common error

Avoid using "most unique thing" in academic or professional contexts where grammatical accuracy is essential. Opt for alternatives that convey the intended meaning without violating the absolute nature of "unique".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most unique thing" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a particular aspect or quality as being singularly distinctive. It's often used to emphasize the exceptional nature of something. Ludwig identifies a mixed acceptance of the phrase due to the inherent nature of "unique".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "most unique thing" is commonly used, it faces criticism for modifying the absolute term "unique". Ludwig identifies it as grammatically acceptable in informal contexts but suggests alternatives like "most distinctive feature" or "most remarkable aspect" for formal writing. Predominantly found in news and media, its usage is versatile but demands careful consideration to suit the context and maintain grammatical precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most distinctive aspect

Focuses on a specific feature that sets something apart.

most exceptional quality

Highlights the superior nature of a particular attribute.

most remarkable feature

Emphasizes the noteworthiness of a specific characteristic.

most singular attribute

Underscores the one-of-a-kind nature of a characteristic.

most unparalleled trait

Suggests that the characteristic is unmatched and without equal.

most outstanding characteristic

Highlights a prominent and easily recognizable feature.

most uncommon element

Draws attention to the rarity of a particular component.

most peculiar aspect

Indicates an unusual or strange quality.

most special attribute

Focuses on the value and importance of a particular trait.

most individual quality

Emphasizes the distinctiveness and originality of a specific feature.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "most unique thing"?

While commonly used, "most unique thing" is often considered grammatically incorrect because "unique" describes something that is already one-of-a-kind and cannot be graded. Some consider this acceptable in informal speech.

What can I say instead of "most unique thing"?

You can use alternatives like "most distinctive aspect", "most remarkable feature", or "most exceptional quality" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "most unique thing" or "most distinctive thing"?

"Most distinctive thing" is generally considered more grammatically correct as "unique" is an absolute term and cannot be modified with "most". However, "most unique thing" is used in common conversation.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "most unique thing"?

The phrase "most unique thing" is best suited for informal settings, such as casual conversations or less formal writing. In professional or academic contexts, it's preferable to use more precise alternatives like "most distinctive characteristic".