of its kind

USAGE SUMMARY

"of its kind" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is unique among the items of its own kind. For example: "It was the most beautiful painting of its kind that I'd ever seen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is a classic of its kind.

The New York Times

It's a model of its kind.

The Guardian - Books

It was the first of its kind in the state.

Yale University

This makes it the largest resource of its kind.

Columbia University

It was the first of its kind.

TechCrunch

It is the largest of its kind in the world.

International Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering

It was thus first of its kind.

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

It is the largest of its kind in existence.

Bone and Joint Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Also a first-of-its kind technology.

Cornell University

First-of-its-kind study could inform coral reef management.

Stanford University

HouseZero: A First-of-its-kind, Ultra-efficient Retrofit.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "of its kind", ensure that the context clearly establishes the category to which the subject belongs. Ambiguity in defining the 'kind' can diminish the phrase's impact and lead to misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "of its kind" when the subject has only minor differences from existing alternatives. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and create a perception of exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of its kind" functions as a postpositive adjective, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate that the noun is unique or exceptional within its category. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

31%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "of its kind" is a versatile and frequently used expression to denote something as unique or unprecedented. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. The examples from Ludwig show that it appears most often in news, academic, and scientific contexts, signifying its broad applicability. When using "of its kind", it's important to ensure the context clearly identifies the category in question to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "one of a kind" or "unique" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Be mindful of overusing the phrase, as it can diminish its impact if applied to subjects with only minor distinctions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one of a kind

A more direct and common way of expressing uniqueness, though slightly less formal.

unequaled in its type

Focuses on an item's unmatched status among others of the same type, suggesting a lack of direct comparison.

unmatched of its nature

Similar to "unrivaled", but places more weight on the inherent qualities that make it superior.

distinct in its class

Highlights the distinctive qualities that separate something from others within the same category.

unrivaled in its category

Highlights that something has no equals within its specific classification or area.

peerless of its nature

Suggests something is unmatched or supreme, focusing on an aspect that defies competition.

unique of its nature

Emphasizes the uniqueness inherent in the nature of something, slightly more focused on intrinsic qualities.

unprecedented in its form

Emphasizes that the form or structure is without prior example, more about novelty and innovation.

singular in its variety

Indicates something is unique within a broader range or assortment, emphasizing its individual characteristics.

uncommon of its style

Focuses on the rarity and infrequency of a particular style, marking it as particularly special.

FAQs

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

You can use "of its kind" to describe something unique or unprecedented. For example, "This research is the first "study of its kind" to examine this specific phenomenon".

What are some alternatives to "of its kind"?

Alternatives include "one of a kind", "unique", "unprecedented", or "unrivaled", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "first of its kind" or "the first of its kind"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "the first of its kind" is generally preferred when referring to a specific instance. "First of its kind" can be used more broadly. For instance, "It was the first "program of its kind" in the world" versus "This is the first "study of its kind"".

What does "classic of its kind" mean?

"Classic of its kind" means that something is considered a high-quality or exemplary example within its category or genre. For example, "'Alligator' (1981) is a classic "film of its kind"".