this is highly unusual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is highly unusual" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or occurrence that deviates significantly from the norm or expectations. Example: "The sudden drop in temperature for this time of year is concerning; this is highly unusual."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

This is highly unusual.

The New York Times

This is highly unusual on Broadway.

The New York Times

"I looked at him and said, 'I know this is highly unusual.

The New Yorker

Robert Samek, whose Web site, CT Golfer Online (www.ctgolfer.com), monitors golf in Connecticut, said of the projects: "This is highly unusual.

The New York Times

This is highly unusual, and frankly to be welcomed.

TechCrunch

"This is highly unusual in modern computer graphics, where almost any other scene can be rendered given enough computing power".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

This was highly unusual.

The New Yorker

This was highly unusual, but not too surprising.

The New Yorker

As Sports Illustrated's Alan Shipnuck noted, "This was highly unusual".

The New York Times

I remember thinking this was highly unusual but no one was panicking.

The Guardian

This was highly unusual for a bond fund manager — and still is.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this is highly unusual", provide context to explain why it's out of the ordinary. This enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "this is highly unusual" as a generic statement. Ensure you can clearly articulate what makes the situation atypical.

Linguistic Context

"This is highly unusual" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing that something deviates significantly from what is considered normal or expected. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for many contexts. It serves to highlight the exceptional nature of a situation or event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is highly unusual" is a versatile phrase employed to emphasize deviations from the norm across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific reporting. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While its frequency is common, best practice involves providing clear context to justify its use, avoiding generic applications. Alternatives include "this is quite exceptional", "this is rather uncommon", and "this is exceedingly rare". Remember to explain why something is unusual to enhance clarity and impact when deploying this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is quite exceptional

Replaces "highly unusual" with "quite exceptional", emphasizing the rarity.

this is rather uncommon

Substitutes "highly unusual" with "rather uncommon", suggesting infrequency.

this is exceedingly rare

Replaces "highly unusual" with "exceedingly rare", highlighting the scarcity.

this is extremely atypical

Substitutes "highly unusual" with "extremely atypical", stressing the deviation from the typical.

this is remarkably different

Replaces "highly unusual" with "remarkably different", focusing on the distinctiveness.

this is strikingly peculiar

Substitutes "highly unusual" with "strikingly peculiar", emphasizing the odd or strange nature.

this is notably out of the ordinary

Replaces "highly unusual" with "notably out of the ordinary", indicating a departure from the usual.

this is uncharacteristically strange

Substitutes "highly unusual" with "uncharacteristically strange", implying deviation from typical behavior or patterns.

this is unprecedented in nature

Replaces "highly unusual" with "unprecedented in nature" highlighting how something has never happened before.

this is a deviation from the norm

Substitutes "highly unusual" with "a deviation from the norm", underlining how something is divergent from an established standard.

FAQs

How can I use "this is highly unusual" in a sentence?

Use "this is highly unusual" to point out something that deviates from the expected norm, like "The sudden increase in rainfall this month "this is highly unusual" for our region".

What phrases are similar to "this is highly unusual"?

Alternatives include "this is quite exceptional", "this is rather uncommon", or "this is exceedingly rare", which all suggest something is not typical.

Is it better to say "this is highly unusual" or "this is very unusual"?

"This is highly unusual" and "this is very unusual" are both correct, but "this is highly unusual" carries a stronger emphasis on the atypical nature of the subject. The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you wish to convey.

In what contexts is "this is highly unusual" most appropriately used?

"This is highly unusual" is suitable for describing situations in news reports, scientific findings, or formal observations where a deviation from the expected norm needs highlighting.