rather unusual

USAGE SUMMARY

"rather unusual" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that is slightly unusual or strange compared to the norm. For example: "The events of the past year have been rather unusual."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her dress was "rather unusual".

The New York Times

Many cases are rather unusual.

Independent

That makes it rather unusual.

The Washington Post

It is a rather unusual sight.

Stanford University

"It does seem rather unusual," said Dawson.

The Guardian - Sport

Probably originally as a nut — a rather unusual nut tree.

Yale University

Some of his girls were rather unusual, he warned her.

The Guardian

Mr. H. complied, murmuring, "This is rather unusual".

The New Yorker

Here is a rather unusual summer reading list.

The Washington Post

And a rather unusual Banana Skin Curry Banana Skin Curry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"John Mulheren is a rather unusual honoree," Mr. Greenberg said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather unusual" when you want to gently suggest that something deviates from the norm without being overly critical or judgmental. It's a polite way to point out something different or unexpected.

Common error

While "rather unusual" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or scientific writing. Opt for stronger, more precise terms like "anomalous", "exceptional", or "atypical" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather unusual" functions as an adverb-adjective combination modifying a noun. It softens the adjective "unusual", indicating something deviates from the norm without being extremely rare or bizarre. Ludwig confirms its acceptability and usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

34%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather unusual" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that communicates a mild deviation from the norm. As affirmed by Ludwig, it finds applications across a spectrum of contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic domains. While versatile, it's important to consider the formality of your writing; in highly formal settings, stronger alternatives like "anomalous" or "exceptional" might be more appropriate. However, for general communication, "rather unusual" serves as a perfectly acceptable and nuanced way to express something out of the ordinary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinctly unusual

Emphasizes a clearer, more noticeable departure from the norm.

somewhat uncommon

Indicates a slightly lower frequency or incidence than what is typically expected.

slightly atypical

Focuses on a mild deviation from the typical or standard characteristics.

fairly extraordinary

Highlights something as notably beyond the ordinary or commonplace.

quite exceptional

Suggests a marked degree of excellence or departure from the norm.

remarkably peculiar

Indicates an odd or eccentric quality that is worthy of attention.

noticeably different

Draws attention to a clear divergence from what is usual or expected.

kind of strange

Emphasizes the slightly odd or unfamiliar nature of something.

a bit odd

Conveys a mild sense of something being out of the ordinary or unconventional.

somewhat curious

Highlights an element that piques interest due to its uncommon nature.

FAQs

How can I use "rather unusual" in a sentence?

You can use "rather unusual" to describe something that deviates from the norm. For example: "The experiment yielded "rather unusual" results" or "His behavior was "rather unusual" for someone in his position."

What are some alternatives to "rather unusual"?

Alternatives include "distinctly unusual", "somewhat uncommon", or "slightly atypical". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of unusualness you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "very unusual" instead of "rather unusual"?

Yes, "very unusual" is grammatically correct and can be used instead of "rather unusual". "Very unusual" implies a stronger degree of unusualness compared to "rather unusual".

What's the difference between "unusual" and "rather unusual"?

"Unusual" simply means not common or ordinary. Adding "rather" softens the statement, indicating a degree of unusualness that is noticeable but not extreme. Using "rather" adds a touch of understatement.