unusual for

USAGE SUMMARY

"unusual for" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to compare something that is not normal, such as, "It is unusual for the weather to be so hot this time of year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Sports

Business

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's unusual for them".

The New York Times

Unusual, for sure.

The New York Times

It is unusual for lacrosse.

The New York Times - Sports

That's very unusual for Wagner".

The New York Times - Arts

This was unusual for T.

The New York Times

Unusual for Japan, that is.

The Economist

That was unusual for Evans.

The New York Times - Sports

That's unusual for me.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's unusual for them.

The New York Times

It is unusual for two reasons.

The Economist

But it isn't unusual for Purity.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unusual for", ensure you clearly specify what the subject is unusual for. This provides necessary context and avoids ambiguity. For example, "It's unusual for a cat to enjoy swimming" is clearer than "It's unusual".

Common error

Avoid using "unusual for" without providing a specific comparison point. Saying "That's unusual" is vague; specify what it's unusual for. For example, instead of "His behavior was unusual", use "His behavior was unusual for a first date".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unusual for" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun or pronoun by indicating a deviation from the norm or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Arts

9%

Sports

8%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unusual for" is a correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates a deviation from the norm or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing numerous examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. It's crucial to provide context by specifying what the subject is unusual for to avoid ambiguity. While suitable for various contexts, the phrase is most frequently found in news and media. For alternative expressions, consider "atypical of" or "uncharacteristic of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

atypical of

Focuses on the deviation from a typical example or representative instance.

uncharacteristic of

Emphasizes that something is not in line with the typical behavior or traits.

out of character for

Highlights that someone's behavior is not what is expected.

not typical of

A direct and simple way to state that something isn't usual.

rare for

Focuses on the infrequency of something in a specific context.

an exception for

Suggests a deviation from a general rule or pattern.

deviant from

Indicates a departure from what is considered standard or expected.

aberrant for

Implies a significant deviation, often suggesting something negative or unwanted.

singular to

Suggests that something is unique and exclusive to a particular situation.

an anomaly in

Highlights something that deviates from the norm or expectation.

FAQs

How do I use "unusual for" in a sentence?

Use "unusual for" to indicate that something deviates from the norm or expectation within a specific context. For example, "It's unusual for a dog to dislike walks".

What's a good alternative to "unusual for"?

You can use phrases like "atypical of", "uncharacteristic of", or "out of character for" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify what something is "unusual for"?

Yes, providing context is crucial. Saying "That's unusual" is vague. Specify what it's unusual for to provide clarity. For example, "That's unusual for a summer day" is much clearer.

Which is correct, "unusual for" or "unusually for"?

"Unusual for" is generally used to compare something against a norm. "Unusually" is an adverb. For example: "It's "unusual for" him to be late." versus "He is unusually quiet today".