this is very unusual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is very unusual" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or occurrence that deviates from the norm or is unexpected. Example: "When I received the email at midnight, I thought to myself, this is very unusual for our company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

"This is very unusual.

The New York Times

He added, "This is very unusual".

The New York Times

"This is very unusual," Mr. Richetelli added.

The New York Times

"This is very unusual," Sergeant Battista said.

The New York Times

This is very unusual for me.

The Guardian - Books

"For Congo, where corruption is massive, this is very unusual.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

He is also exceptionally good--really, this is very unusual--at writing about what I guess I will call the spiritual life, but those words are wrong.

Vice

This was very unusual.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I do want to emphasize that this was very unusual," Mr. Ryan said.

The New York Times

One Saturday morning, 23 fathers turned up at the church hall with their children: "This was very unusual.

Independent

This was very unusual for me — usually, I can look back at a story years later and recall conversations with sources and editors.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is very unusual" to express surprise or to highlight an anomaly in a situation or set of data. It's particularly effective when contrasting the current observation with a previously understood norm or expectation.

Common error

While acceptable, "this is very unusual" might sound too informal for some academic or professional contexts. Opt for more formal alternatives like "this is highly uncommon" or "this deviates significantly from the norm" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is very unusual" serves as a declarative statement, expressing a judgment about something being atypical or unexpected. Examples from Ludwig show its use in diverse contexts, reinforcing its role in identifying deviations from the norm.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this is very unusual" is a common and grammatically sound way to point out something atypical or unexpected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s readily usable across various contexts. Analysis reveals its frequent appearance in news, media, and scientific domains. While perfectly acceptable, remember that more formal alternatives might be preferred in certain professional settings. The key is to use it strategically to highlight anomalies and draw attention effectively. When in doubt, consider related phrases like "this is quite rare" or "this is highly uncommon" to nuance your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is quite rare

Emphasizes the infrequency of the occurrence rather than its deviation from the norm.

this is highly uncommon

Highlights the rarity of the event with a stronger emphasis.

this is quite atypical

Focuses on the deviation from the typical or expected pattern.

this is rather exceptional

Suggests the event is not only unusual but also remarkable.

this is somewhat extraordinary

Emphasizes the remarkable and often surprising nature of the situation.

this is fairly unprecedented

Highlights the lack of prior instances or parallels.

this is strikingly different

Focuses on the noticeable contrast from the usual state.

this is markedly distinct

Emphasizes the clear and noticeable difference from what is typical.

this is notably peculiar

Suggests that the situation is odd and attracts attention.

this is significantly divergent

Highlights a substantial departure from the norm or expected trend.

FAQs

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

You can use "this is very unusual" to describe something that deviates from the norm. For example, "The fact that all team members agreed without any debate, "this is very unusual" for our team meetings".

What are some alternatives to "this is very unusual"?

Some alternatives include "this is quite rare", "this is highly uncommon", or "this is quite atypical", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "this is very unusual"?

Yes, "this is very unusual" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in both spoken and written English.

What is the difference between "this is very unusual" and "this is highly unusual"?

While both phrases are similar, "this is highly unusual" places a stronger emphasis on the degree of unexpectedness compared to "this is very unusual".