somewhat unusual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat unusual" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to describe something that is not completely unusual, but is still slightly out of the ordinary. Example: "His fashion sense was somewhat unusual, with a mix of vintage and modern pieces."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cannondale is somewhat unusual.

The New York Times - Sports

Doan had a somewhat unusual perspective.

The New York Times - Sports

This is "somewhat unusual," he added.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I had a somewhat unusual trajectory.

Harvard University

"What's he thinking?" This was somewhat unusual.

The New York Times - Magazine

She makes for a somewhat unusual Rosina.

The Guardian - Music

It's a somewhat unusual but practical arrangement.

The New York Times - Food

And Mr. Jobs's case is somewhat unusual.

The New York Times - Tech

"Alumni relations at MIT are somewhat unusual," Vest said.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The role here allotted to Fortune is somewhat unusual.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I'm a primary care doctor with a somewhat unusual job.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or occurrences, use "somewhat unusual" to indicate a mild deviation from the expected norm, suggesting it is not entirely surprising but still noteworthy. For instance, "The weather pattern this year is somewhat unusual, with warmer temperatures persisting later into the season."

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat unusual" when the situation is clearly very strange or unprecedented. Reserve it for cases where the deviation is mild and does not require stronger descriptors like "highly unusual" or "extraordinary".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat unusual" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It qualifies a noun by indicating a moderate degree of deviation from what is typical or expected. Ludwig shows its consistent use in modifying various nouns across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

29%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "somewhat unusual" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression, mainly across News & Media, Academia, and Science. Ludwig AI confirms that "somewhat unusual" is used to denote a moderate deviation from the norm. While alternatives like "slightly atypical" or "moderately uncommon" exist, understanding the subtle nuances is key to precise writing. Avoid using "somewhat unusual" when describing highly abnormal situations, and instead reserve it for instances where a moderate degree of difference is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly atypical

Replaces "unusual" with "atypical" and "somewhat" with "slightly", maintaining a similar level of deviation.

somewhat unconventional

Replaces "unusual" with "unconventional", highlighting a deviation from established norms or practices.

a bit out of the ordinary

Uses a more colloquial expression to convey something deviating from the typical.

somewhat out of the ordinary

A more verbose way to convey the idea of something not being typical without being overly strange.

moderately uncommon

Substitutes "unusual" with "uncommon" and "somewhat" with "moderately", keeping the sense of mild rarity.

relatively exceptional

Changes to "exceptional" to emphasize the positive aspect of being different and uses "relatively" for moderation.

kind of peculiar

Employs "peculiar" as a substitute for "unusual" and "kind of" for "somewhat", resulting in a slightly more informal tone.

reasonably unique

Highlights the distinctiveness, using "unique" instead of "unusual" and qualifying it with "reasonably".

slightly different

Focuses on the aspect of difference rather than abnormality, using "slightly" for mildness.

marginally remarkable

Emphasizes that something is noteworthy to a small extent by using "remarkable".

FAQs

What does "somewhat unusual" mean?

The phrase "somewhat unusual" means something is slightly different from what is typically expected or observed. It suggests a moderate degree of deviation from the norm, but not an extreme one.

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

You can use "somewhat unusual" to describe a variety of situations. For example: "His behavior at the party was "somewhat unusual", as he mostly kept to himself" or "The results of the experiment were "somewhat unusual", warranting further investigation."

What are some alternatives to saying "somewhat unusual"?

Alternatives to "somewhat unusual" include "slightly atypical", "moderately uncommon", or "a bit out of the ordinary". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it better to say "somewhat unusual" or "very unusual"?

The choice between "somewhat unusual" and "very unusual" depends on the degree of deviation you want to convey. "Somewhat unusual" implies a moderate difference, while "very unusual" suggests a significant departure from the norm.