slightly extraordinary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly extraordinary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat unusual or remarkable, but not to an extreme degree. Example: "The event was slightly extraordinary, with unexpected performances that captivated the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sitting in the audience, the view was slightly different: extraordinary, exceptional, but not quite the jolt of modernity that "Galliano the gardener" might have hoped for when he collaborated with Nick Knight, photographer and digital image maker.

The New York Times

You can spend less and get a slightly less-extraordinary-handling car, but one with a better-made cockpit.

Forbes

Although the images are primarily straightforward documents, these warm-toned prints are often extraordinary — soft, slightly smudged, burnished by time, with an astonishing presence.

The New Yorker

LB It's rather extraordinary, if slightly grim and unsettling, how relevant this seminal collection of James Baldwin's essays are today.

The Guardian - Books

Came back and 5-10 people were saying "extraordinary," a slightly obese man was at microphone.

Vice

Ms. Warren's favorability rating — 56 percent among Election Day voters — was perfectly adequate but not extraordinary, and was slightly worse than Mr. Brown's.

The New York Times

TOM SMITH Morrison, Colo., July 17, 2011 To the Editor: A cultural shift in attitudes on end-of-life treatment would not only help us financially but also help us accept natural death for the terminally ill, with all palliative care measures employed, as opposed to taking "extraordinary means" to slightly prolong life.

The New York Times

As shown in Fig. 2, when ordinary income is slightly negative, Spanish firms use extraordinary items to avoid bottom-line losses.

SERIEs

The MnO2 nanoflakes/HPCs composite with 75 wt% MnO2 possesses the highest specific capacitance at a high scan rate or current density (417.2 F g−1 at 20 mV s−1 and 326.9 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, respectively) and extraordinary cycling stability (slightly over 100% capacitance retention after 10000 cycles at a scan rate of 100 mV s−1), which are superior to other reported MnO2/carbon composites.

Electrochimica Acta

He has a wonderful memory, an extraordinary, and perhaps sometimes slightly overdeveloped, sensitivity to language, is amazingly industrious and is a very remarkable reader of verse.

The Guardian - Books

"A Woman's Head (Jacqueline)," a one-day likeness dispatched on May 4 , 1953 with only a slightly prankish touch, ascended to an extraordinary £8.1 million paid by a British private collector.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly extraordinary" to describe situations or objects that possess unusual qualities without being overwhelmingly exceptional. This adds nuance and prevents overstatement.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly extraordinary" when "slightly unusual" or "somewhat remarkable" would be more appropriate. "Extraordinary" alone often suffices if the context already implies a degree of moderation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly extraordinary" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, adding detail to a noun by indicating the degree to which it is exceptional. Ludwig AI confirms its usage and acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly extraordinary" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to convey something is somewhat unusual or remarkable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While its frequency is rare, it finds use across various contexts, notably in News & Media and Science. When writing, "slightly extraordinary" is suitable for describing situations or objects possessing unusual qualities without being overwhelmingly exceptional, adding nuance to your statements. When a simpler alternative is preferred, consider "somewhat remarkable".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat remarkable

Indicates something is noticeable or worthy of attention to some extent, but not completely out of the ordinary.

mildly exceptional

Suggests something is above average to a small degree, differing from what is typical.

moderately unusual

Emphasizes a deviation from the norm, but only to a certain extent.

a bit out of the ordinary

Highlights a slight departure from the common or expected.

somewhat uncommon

Expresses that something is not frequently encountered.

fairly singular

Highlights the unique characteristic of something, but with moderation.

relatively remarkable

Indicates a level of noteworthiness compared to a specific baseline or expectation.

kind of special

Suggests that something has unique qualities or significance.

slightly atypical

Indicates a small deviation from the typical or usual.

marginally outstanding

Expresses a small degree of superiority or excellence.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly extraordinary" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly extraordinary" to describe something that is unusual or remarkable, but not to an extreme degree. For example, "The event was slightly extraordinary, with unexpected performances that captivated the audience."

What are some alternatives to "slightly extraordinary"?

Alternatives include "somewhat remarkable", "mildly exceptional", or "moderately unusual", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "slightly extraordinary" instead of just "extraordinary"?

Use "slightly extraordinary" when you want to emphasize that something is unusual or exceptional to a limited extent, avoiding the implication of being completely out of the ordinary. It adds a layer of qualification.

Is there a difference in formality between "slightly extraordinary" and "somewhat remarkable"?

The phrase "slightly extraordinary" and "somewhat remarkable" are generally interchangeable in terms of formality. However, "somewhat remarkable" might be preferred in very formal contexts due to its slightly less emphatic tone.