unique to

USAGE SUMMARY

"unique to" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that exists in only one instance or is exclusive to a particular thing or place. For example, "The Amazon Rainforest is home to a variety of unique species of flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's unique to us.

The New York Times - Sports

It's unique to the Web.

The New York Times

"That's not unique to us.

The New York Times

This isn't unique to Groupon.

The New York Times

This is unique to us.

The New York Times

Feathers are unique to birds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Is that graduation requirement unique to Princeton?

The New York Times

This is not unique to charter schools.

The New York Times

Distraction is not unique to the eyes.

The New York Times - Health

Stalled adoptions are not unique to Guatemala.

The New York Times

But seats are unique to the airline.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unique to", ensure that the subject you are describing truly has no exact equivalent elsewhere. Avoid hyperbole.

Common error

Be careful not to label something as "unique to" a particular subject when similar instances exist elsewhere. Verify your claims to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unique to" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase functioning as a postpositive adjective. It describes a noun by attributing to it an exclusive or distinctive quality. Ludwig provides examples where it emphasizes exclusivity, such as "Feathers are unique to birds."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unique to" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrase that functions as a modifier to emphasize that something is exclusively associated with a particular subject. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English. It is commonly found in news media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, highlighting its adaptability across different registers. When using "unique to", ensure that the exclusivity is accurate to avoid overgeneralizations. Alternatives such as "exclusive to" and "distinctive to" can be used to convey a similar meaning. Remember to use this phrase precisely to maintain clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusive to

Direct synonym, emphasizing the exclusion of others.

specific to

Emphasizes that something applies only to a particular thing.

distinctive to

Highlights specific characteristic that sets something apart.

found only in

Directly indicates exclusivity of presence.

belonging solely to

Strong emphasis on exclusive ownership or association.

peculiar to

Suggests something is strange or unusual to a specific thing or place.

limited to

Indicates that something is restricted to a certain entity.

characteristic of

Focuses on qualities that define a particular entity.

solely attributable to

Focuses on the single cause or origin.

inherent in

Suggests the quality is an essential part of something.

FAQs

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

Use "unique to" to indicate that a characteristic, feature, or attribute is exclusively associated with a specific entity or group. For example, "This flavor is unique to our restaurant".

What are some alternatives to "unique to"?

You can use alternatives such as "exclusive to", "distinctive to", or "specific to" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say 'very unique'?

While "unique" technically means 'one of a kind', it is increasingly common to use "very" or "quite" to emphasize uniqueness in informal contexts. However, in formal writing, it's best to avoid modifying "unique".

What's the difference between "unique to" and "common in"?

"Unique to" indicates something is exclusively found within a particular context, whereas "common in" suggests something is frequently found but not necessarily exclusive to that context.