somewhat unique

USAGE SUMMARY

"somewhat unique" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when describing something or someone as having some distinctive qualities or characteristics, but not to the extent of being completely unique or one-of-a-kind. Example: Although the dress was somewhat unique with its intricate embroidery, I had seen similar styles before.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's somewhat unique.

The New York Times - Sports

This makes Trump somewhat unique among politicians.

The Washington Post

Because of his illness, McKinnon's case is somewhat unique.

The Guardian - Opinion

This combination is somewhat unique in the country".

The New York Times

"The Connetquot is somewhat unique in being virtually an entirely protected watershed," he said.

The New York Times

West Virginia is somewhat unique in providing a state-level program for indigent burials, Kimes said.

The Washington Post

Generally, theropods have serrated, blade-like teeth so spinosauroids are somewhat unique in this respect.

University of California, Berkeley

Curt LaBelle '99 chose a somewhat unique path among his Columbia Business School classmates.

Columbia University

the causes of death that are somewhat unique to where you live.

Harvard University

"We appreciate the museum's somewhat unique situation, and we sympathize with its frustration," the ruling states.

The New York Times

"We have a somewhat unique game style, very aggressive," Moulton-Levy said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat unique" when you want to acknowledge that something possesses special characteristics without claiming it's entirely without precedent. It's useful for highlighting subtle distinctions.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat unique" when the subject is genuinely groundbreaking or unprecedented. In those cases, "unique" or "distinct" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat unique" functions as a qualifier, modifying an adjective to indicate a partial or limited degree of uniqueness. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is a valid construction for expressing nuance. It adds a degree of imprecision, suggesting something is distinctive without being entirely unprecedented.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhat unique" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its proper usage for describing something with distinctive qualities, though not entirely unprecedented. It functions as a qualifier, offering a nuanced way to express uniqueness without overstatement. The phrase is versatile, appearing across news media, scientific publications, and academic writing. While alternatives like "distinct to some extent" exist, "somewhat unique" provides a concise and effective way to convey a partial or limited degree of uniqueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinct to some extent

Emphasizes the distinctiveness but acknowledges it's not absolute.

partially exceptional

Highlights the exceptional quality, but only in part.

relatively uncommon

Focuses on the rarity compared to others, implying a moderate level.

moderately unusual

Highlights the unusual nature with a qualifier indicating its intensity.

unique in certain aspects

Specifies that the uniqueness applies only to particular features.

unconventional to a degree

Emphasizes that the unconventionality is not absolute.

not entirely typical

Underlines the deviation from the norm, but not completely.

atypical in some ways

Specifies the atypical nature applies to certain characteristics or manners.

somewhat out of the ordinary

Highlights the unusual nature with a degree of variation from the ordinary.

peculiar to a limited extent

Highlights the peculiar nature with a degree of limitation in its extent.

FAQs

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

You can use "somewhat unique" to describe something that has distinctive qualities but isn't entirely one-of-a-kind. For example, "The restaurant's ambiance was "somewhat unique", blending modern design with traditional elements".

What are some alternatives to saying "somewhat unique"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "distinct to some extent", "partially exceptional", or "relatively uncommon".

Is it redundant to say "somewhat unique"?

While "unique" technically means one-of-a-kind, "somewhat unique" is commonly used to indicate a partial or nuanced uniqueness. It's a way to soften the claim and acknowledge that something is distinctive without being absolutely unprecedented.

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

"Somewhat unique" implies that something has distinctive qualities but isn't entirely without precedent. "Completely unique", on the other hand, suggests that something is absolutely one-of-a-kind and has no equivalent.