somewhat extraordinary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat extraordinary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is remarkable or unusual to a certain degree, but not overwhelmingly so. Example: "The performance was somewhat extraordinary, leaving the audience in awe without being overly dramatic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Obama uses his full name, of course, as protocol dictates, but it's still somewhat extraordinary to remember that America just elected someone with the middle name Hussein.

The Guardian

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, charged with raping a young woman in a Colorado hotel, appeared for seven minutes in a courtroom today and uttered just two words during what the presiding judge acknowledged was a "somewhat extraordinary event".

The New York Times - Sports

To sweeten the deal, Google is also launching a somewhat extraordinary promotion today: If you open a new Fi account — or if are an existing user — you can buy any phone in the Fi shop today and get your money back in the form of a travel gift card that you can use for a flight with Delta or Southwest, or lodging with Airbnb and Hotels.com.

TechCrunch

The new motif appears to have become conserved with relatively little additional change, a somewhat extraordinary finding highlighting the potential for 'punctuated equilibrium' [ 83] to act at the molecular level as well as the morphological.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

My thirst has been slaked somewhat by the extraordinary writing that has emerged from Africa in the last decade, appearing in journals such as Kwani? and Chimurenga.

The Guardian - Books

The time is 1818, and Keats Ben Whishaww) is 23, of small fame and uncertain future, while his young Hampstead neighbour Fanny (Abbie Cornish) is already a woman of accomplishment: she makes her own extraordinary, somewhat showy clothes.

Independent

An extraordinary and somewhat inexplicable difference exists between the dimensions of the pelvic cavity and the dimensions of the head of the infant at birth in monkeys and humans on the one hand, and apes on the other.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the final compromise, three of the seven Bush judicial choices that Reid and Rove had discussed were approved by the Senate, and it was simultaneously agreed that senators could filibuster a nominee "under extraordinary circumstances" — somewhat vague language that has yet to be tested.

The New Yorker

It's an extraordinary and somewhat demanding work, heavy with transcendent portent; a shot of fruit falling from a tree and rolling inexorably toward a stream conjures Antichrist-like images of the Garden of Eden, while a scene in which a young woman serves coffee to the group of searchers has something of the lighting of a Vermeer.

The Guardian - Film

He removes the mythological element of heroism and explores how somewhat ordinary men became extraordinary -- natural born heroes -- during the course of history and wars.

Huffington Post

It was, then, a somewhat anticlimactic end to an extraordinary odyssey.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat extraordinary" to describe events or phenomena that are notably unusual but not entirely unprecedented. This conveys a sense of surprise without hyperbole.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat extraordinary" excessively in your writing. Overuse can dilute its impact, making your descriptions sound less genuine. Vary your vocabulary to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat extraordinary" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe something that is unusual or remarkable to a certain degree. As Ludwig AI points out, it is used to describe something that is remarkable, but not overwhelmingly so.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "somewhat extraordinary" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that is unusual or remarkable to a moderate degree. As Ludwig AI's analysis confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general discourse. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral register. For those seeking alternatives, phrases like "fairly remarkable", "quite unusual", and "moderately exceptional" offer similar shades of meaning. Remember to consider the context and intended emphasis when selecting the most appropriate phrase to enrich your writing and avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat exceptional

Retains "somewhat" but uses "exceptional" in place of "extraordinary", keeping a close similarity in meaning.

somewhat remarkable

Maintains "somewhat" but replaces "extraordinary" with "remarkable", keeping a similar meaning.

moderately exceptional

Replaces "somewhat" with "moderately" and "extraordinary" with "exceptional", resulting in a slightly more formal tone.

somewhat impressive

Keeps "somewhat" but softens the impact by using the term "impressive" in place of "extraordinary".

fairly remarkable

Substitutes "somewhat" with "fairly" and "extraordinary" with "remarkable", softening the intensity slightly.

slightly outstanding

Employs "slightly" instead of "somewhat" and "outstanding" instead of "extraordinary", offering a more positive connotation.

quite unusual

Replaces "extraordinary" with "unusual", indicating a deviation from the norm but not necessarily exceptional quality.

mildly astonishing

Uses "mildly" instead of "somewhat" and "astonishing" instead of "extraordinary", suggesting a lower degree of amazement.

reasonably impressive

Replaces "somewhat" with "reasonably" and "extraordinary" with "impressive", lessening the sense of wonder.

noticeably uncommon

Shifts focus to rarity rather than impressiveness, using "noticeably" and "uncommon".

FAQs

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

You can use "somewhat extraordinary" to describe something that is unusual or remarkable to a certain extent, but not overwhelmingly so. For example: "The results of the experiment were "somewhat extraordinary", suggesting a novel approach to the problem."

What phrases can I use instead of "somewhat extraordinary"?

You can use alternatives like "fairly remarkable", "quite unusual", or "moderately exceptional" depending on the context.

Is "somewhat extraordinary" too informal for academic writing?

While "somewhat extraordinary" is acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "moderately exceptional" or "remarkably uncommon" in academic contexts to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "somewhat extraordinary" and "completely extraordinary"?

"Somewhat extraordinary" implies a degree of unusualness or remarkableness that is noticeable but not absolute. "Completely extraordinary", on the other hand, suggests something is entirely out of the ordinary and exceptionally remarkable.