not only unique

USAGE SUMMARY

"not only unique" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is usually used to emphasize that something is extraordinary or unusual. For example, "This recipe is not only unique, but also delicious!".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Ginkgo leaves have not only unique shape and color, but also interesting chemical and medical properties, which have inspired us to investigate them.

Catalysis Today

But Mr. Folman has gone further, creating something that is not only unique but also exemplary, a work of astonishing aesthetic integrity and searing moral power.

The New York Times

Your genome, 3 billion letters of genetic code, is not only unique to you now, but is unique to every human who has ever and will ever exist.

The Guardian - Opinion

The study is not only unique in the latter context, but it is also the first study to determine removal of 21 different elements from polluted river water.

Nature

Considering the lack of effective detection methods for CNT uptake in plants, our concept is not only unique but also practical, as it addresses a major problem in the field of nanomaterial characterization and nanotoxicology risk assessment.

Carbon

"It's a nice rarity in science when people take not only unique but also productive paths," Craig Venter, who led a rival effort to the Human Genome Project, told me.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Distinct modules are not only the unique subgraphs, but also the unique subgraph patterns (a subgraph can have many patterns based on the edge topology) in networks.

BioMed Research International

"We believe that an advertiser's personalized audio strategy will not only be unique to that advertiser, but also unique to each campaign," Fanning said.

TechCrunch

In the vulnerability cube each index represents not only a unique dimension of the cube, but also a unique dimension of vulnerability.

Environmental Management

It's not only the unique object that we call folk art".

The New York Times - Arts

Also, innovations today often ask not only for unique technical knowledge but also social knowledge to make these innovations meaningful.

Technovation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not only unique", ensure you follow it with "but also" to present the additional quality or characteristic you want to emphasize. For example: "This design is "not only unique" but also highly functional."

Common error

A common mistake is omitting the "but also" clause after stating that something is "not only unique". This leaves the sentence incomplete and weakens the intended emphasis. Always complete the structure to fully convey your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not only unique" functions as a correlative conjunction introducing an adjective. It serves to emphasize that something is distinctive while preparing the reader for an additional attribute or characteristic, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not only unique" is a phrase used to emphasize the distinctiveness of something, while also indicating that it possesses additional notable qualities. Grammatically sound and versatile across different registers, it is most frequently found in scientific, news, and business-related contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and common usage, highlighting that it effectively sets up an expectation for further elaboration. To ensure correct application, remember to always include the "but also" clause to complete the intended message and showcase additional qualities or characteristics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not just unique

Replaces "only" with "just", slightly softening the emphasis on the exclusivity.

not merely unique

Substitutes "only" with "merely", suggesting that uniqueness is an understatement of its qualities.

unique and also

Reorders the phrase to emphasize the uniqueness first, then adds the additional attribute.

distinctive and additionally

Replaces "unique" with "distinctive" and "not only" with "additionally", altering the tone to be more formal.

singular and furthermore

Uses "singular" instead of "unique", heightening the sense of rarity, and "furthermore" as a more formal equivalent of "not only".

not solely unique

Emphasizes that uniqueness is not the only attribute by using "solely" instead of "only".

uniquely and also

Transforms "unique" into the adverb "uniquely", shifting the focus slightly to how it possesses other qualities.

not uniquely but also

Inverts the structure to place less emphasis on uniqueness as the primary characteristic.

exceptional and

Replaces "unique" with "exceptional", highlighting the superior quality rather than just distinctiveness. This conveys a stronger sense of positive deviation from the norm.

distinct and

Uses "distinct" instead of "unique", emphasizing clear differentiation, rather than inherent rarity or singularity.

FAQs

How do I properly use "not only unique" in a sentence?

The phrase "not only unique" is typically followed by "but also" to emphasize a second characteristic or quality. For example, "This painting is "not only unique", but also deeply moving".

What are some alternatives to using "not only unique"?

You can use alternatives such as "not just unique", "distinctive and additionally", or "singular and furthermore" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not only unique"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct as long as it is followed by the "but also" clause. The phrase "not only" sets up an expectation that another element will be added to the sentence.

What's the difference between "not only unique" and "simply unique"?

"Not only unique" implies there are other notable qualities in addition to being unique. "Simply unique" just emphasizes the uniqueness without suggesting other qualities.