uniquely

USAGE SUMMARY

'uniquely' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverb meaning "in a unique manner; in a way that is distinct from any other", so it should be used to describe distinctive situations or characteristics. Example sentence: She solves puzzles uniquely, always finding the most efficient solution.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The housing bubble was unique, and uniquely awful.

The Economist

She added that when they had begun lobbying Georgia's legislators, they had discovered that many of them were not even aware of the state's uniquely heavy burden of proof.

The Guardian

London's over-reliance on the financial services sector makes it uniquely vulnerable to economic shocks.

The Guardian

Obama hit all the right notes for his youthful Australian audience – largely school and university students – asking if anyone in the audience had any XXXX – the beer uniquely adored in Queensland.

The Guardian

But for the Ipswich residents who witnessed an extraordinary terror on their street almost 10 years ago, watching the actors who play them in a new film will be uniquely strange.

The Guardian - Film

Those include the Yasuni initiative, under which Ecuador waives its right to exploit oil in a uniquely biodiverse part of the Amazon in return for international contributions to renewable energy projects.

The Guardian - Opinion

I blew the whistle on the NSA's surveillance practices not because I believed that the United States was uniquely at fault, but because I believe that mass surveillance of innocents – the construction of enormous, state-run surveillance time machines that can turn back the clock on the most intimate details of our lives – is a threat to all people, everywhere, no matter who runs them.

The Guardian - Opinion

"With his vast experience inside the ECB [England and Wales Cricket Board], he is uniquely placed to offer advice when called upon in our quest to produce a future England player".

The Guardian - Sport

Deep down she must have a soul, or a hint of humanity, but there is something uniquely unknowable about her.

The Guardian

This refugee crisis is not a uniquely European problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

In retrospect, it is obvious that post-war circumstances were uniquely favourable to Christian Democracy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "uniquely" to emphasize that something is distinct and different from anything else. This can add impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "uniquely" simply as a way to intensify a description. Ensure that the subject truly possesses qualities that set it apart from all others, not just that it's "very" good or "very" special. Otherwise, use a more appropriate adjective.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "uniquely" functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating that an action, quality, or state is performed or exists in a manner that is distinct from all others. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a distinctive situation or characteristic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "uniquely" is used to describe something that is distinct and different from anything else. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it should be used to describe distinctive situations or characteristics. It functions to emphasize distinctiveness and is commonly found in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct, it should be used judiciously to avoid overuse. Alternatives include "distinctively", "exceptionally", and "singularly". It's important to not use it just as an intensifier.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a distinctive manner

Replaces the single adverb with a prepositional phrase, emphasizing the manner of distinctiveness.

in an unparalleled way

Highlights the unmatched or unrivaled aspect of the action or quality.

in a one-of-a-kind fashion

Emphasizes the singularity and originality of the approach or style.

in its own special way

Focuses on the particular and individualized nature of the method.

to an exceptional degree

Indicates a high level of distinctiveness, emphasizing the extent of the uniqueness.

in a manner unlike any other

Stresses the dissimilarity from all other methods or approaches.

with marked individuality

Highlights the pronounced individual character or style.

to a singular extent

Emphasizes the remarkable and unusual nature of the degree or scope.

in an unprecedented fashion

Implies that the manner is novel and has not occurred before.

with notable distinctiveness

Stresses the noteworthy and easily recognizable quality of being distinct.

FAQs

How can I use "uniquely" in a sentence?

Use "uniquely" to describe something that is distinct from anything else of its kind. For example, "The artist's style is "uniquely suited" to capture the essence of the landscape."

What are some alternatives to "uniquely"?

Alternatives to "uniquely" include "distinctively", "exceptionally", or "singularly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "uniquely" versus "unusually"?

"Uniquely" emphasizes that something is one-of-a-kind, while "unusually" simply means that something is not common. Use "uniquely" when you want to highlight the unparalleled nature of something and "unusually" when you want to highlight the exceptional level of something.

Is "uniquely" interchangeable with "exclusively"?

While both words imply a sense of being special, "uniquely" emphasizes distinct characteristics, whereas "exclusively" emphasizes restriction or ownership. Use "uniquely" to refer to qualities that set something apart and "exclusively" to show that something is limited to a specific group or purpose.