uncharacteristically different

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "uncharacteristically different" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that deviates from the usual characteristics or traits of a person, object, or situation. Example: "Her uncharacteristically different behavior at the party raised some eyebrows among her friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Because of the M.T.A.'s restrictions, the strikers remained uncharacteristically quiet, far different from the strikers at La Caravelle and "21," who bellowed angry chants in front of those restaurants.

The New York Times

The Rangers uncharacteristically received goals from three different lines.

The New York Times - Sports

A very different reason for his uncharacteristically quiet departure from Rock is suggested in a lawsuit brought last year by two of Kemsley's former U.S. partners, who managed Rock's American buildings.

The New York Times - Magazine

And I suspect the big sponsors said, 'You can't do this, it's got to change.'" I ask if he expects Blatter to be arrested and he falls uncharacteristically silent, so I put the question a different way.

The Guardian

A seared baby chicken, served without bones and crowned with a crunchy crust of seven different breakfast cereals, is only $19; steamed lobster in a sriracha-citrus emulsion is, at $42, almost uncharacteristically costly, but not at all unjustifiably.

The New York Times - Food

Indeed, bioinformatic analyses have been uncharacteristically unsuccessful in estimating the number of nuclear genes that code for mitochondrial proteins (estimates range from 349-2,897 in different species) [ 27].

Biology Direct

To the company's credit, it's uncharacteristically verbose about its feelings: the review guidelines for its app store open with the admission that "we view Apps different than books or songs".

The Guardian - Tech

Mitt Romney, uncharacteristically, sweats.

The New York Times

Walmart seems uncharacteristically spooked.

The Economist

Gordon was uncharacteristically nervous.

The New Yorker

Goldwater was uncharacteristically jealous.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "uncharacteristically different", ensure that the subject's typical behavior or state is well-established in the context to highlight the deviation effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "uncharacteristically different" when the 'different' aspect is already implied by 'uncharacteristically'. Instead, consider simply stating the new, unexpected behavior or trait.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uncharacteristically different" functions as an adverbial modifier highlighting a deviation from expected norms. It emphasizes that the difference being described is not typical or usual for the subject in question. Ludwig AI considers the phrase grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "uncharacteristically different" is grammatically correct, according to Ludwig AI, but infrequently used. It serves to emphasize an unexpected deviation from the norm, functioning as an adverbial modifier. While understandable in various contexts, its nuanced nature makes it more suited for formal or written communication. Given its infrequent usage, writers might consider semantically similar alternatives to enhance clarity or impact, as detailed in the related phrases section. Remember to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring the context clearly establishes the subject's typical characteristics to highlight the departure effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncharacteristically contrasting

Replaces "different" with "contrasting" to emphasize the opposition or divergence.

atypically dissimilar

Replaces "uncharacteristically" with "atypically" and "different" with "dissimilar" emphasizing the deviation from the norm.

unusually distinct

Uses "unusually" to highlight the unexpected nature and "distinct" to stress the clear difference.

untypically modified

Substitutes "uncharacteristically" with "untypically" and "different" with "modified" emphasizing the altered state.

surprisingly disparate

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the difference using "surprisingly" and highlighting the contrast with "disparate".

deviating unexpectedly

Focuses on the act of deviation with the adverb "unexpectedly" modifying it.

unexpectedly transformed

Uses "unexpectedly" to stress the surprise element and "transformed" to focus on the alteration resulting in a difference.

remarkably altered

Highlights the notable change using "remarkably" and the resulting difference with "altered".

aberrantly divergent

Uses "aberrantly" to denote a deviation from the normal or expected course and "divergent" to highlight the difference.

anomalously varied

Employs "anomalously" to indicate something inconsistent with the norm and "varied" to express difference.

FAQs

How can I use "uncharacteristically different" in a sentence?

You can use "uncharacteristically different" to describe a deviation from the typical behavior or appearance of something. For example, "His behavior was "uncharacteristically subdued" at the meeting, a stark contrast to his usual boisterous self."

What does "uncharacteristically" mean?

"Uncharacteristically" means not typical of a particular person or thing. It indicates a deviation from the usual or expected behavior or qualities.

Are there synonyms for "uncharacteristically"?

Yes, some synonyms for "uncharacteristically" include "atypically", "unusually", "abnormally", "surprisingly", or "unexpectedly".

What are some alternatives to using "uncharacteristically different"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "surprisingly distinct", "atypically dissimilar", or "unexpectedly altered" to convey a similar meaning.