unusual order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unusual order" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sequence or arrangement that is not typical or expected. Example: "The books were arranged in an unusual order, making it difficult to find the one I needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Then a customer phoned with an unusual order.

The New York Times

The court considered Mr. Koskovich's case before, invalidating an unusual order issued by Judge Stanton.

The New York Times

It's unclear if that unusual order was related to the riot happening outdoors.

The Guardian - Music

A branch just outside Belfast received an unusual order for a cake.

The Economist

The unusual order brought to an end a bitter fight in which the Securities and Exchange Commission had contended that Ernst violated rules on auditor independence by jointly marketing consulting and tax services with PeopleSoft, an audit client.

The New York Times

The unusual order makes Myanmar perhaps the only country in the world to impose such a restriction on a religious group, and it is likely to fuel further criticism that Muslims are being discriminated against in the Buddhist-majority country.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Before computer trading became dominant, if a flood of unusual orders came in, they would usually be questioned by human order matchers, called specialists, working on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

The New York Times

Indeed, within days of the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, acting at the government's request, asked all its member companies what technology they had that could be used to create bioweapons and asked them to be on the alert for unusual orders for their products.

The New York Times - Science

For example, the Suffolk University poll came under criticism in February for an unusual ordering of questions that may have skewed results slightly in Brown's favor.

Huffington Post

Then, on September 15 , 2015 President Obama gave the team the ultimate nudge: an unusual Executive Order, titled "Using Behavioral Science Insights to Better Serve the American People".

The New Yorker

The city lifted a highly unusual evacuation order of low-lying neighborhoods a day after residents of Zone A — including Coney Island, the Rockaways and Battery Park City — were ordered to leave for their own safety.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or sequence, use "unusual order" to highlight a deviation from the expected or typical progression. This can draw attention to the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Common error

Avoid using "unusual order" when you intend to praise someone's organizational skills. The phrase typically implies something unexpected or out of the ordinary, not necessarily positive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unusual order" functions as a noun phrase, where "unusual" modifies the noun "order". It describes a particular arrangement or sequence that is not typical or expected. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unusual order" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something that deviates from the norm. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts. The phrase appears frequently in "News & Media" and "Science", suggesting its versatility. When using "unusual order", ensure it accurately reflects the deviation you intend to highlight, avoiding misuse as a compliment for general organizational skills. For similar expressions, consider "odd order" or "atypical order" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

odd order

Replaces "unusual" with a more informal synonym, "odd".

atypical order

Substitutes "unusual" with a more formal synonym, "atypical".

peculiar order

Replaces "unusual" with another synonym emphasizing strangeness, "peculiar".

strange order

Employs "strange" in place of "unusual", suggesting something out of the ordinary.

unconventional order

Highlights the non-traditional aspect of the order.

anomalous order

Uses a more technical term, "anomalous", to describe the order.

rare order

Indicates that the order is not commonly encountered.

unique order

Stresses the distinctiveness of the order.

unprecedented order

Suggests that the order has never occurred before.

abnormal order

Indicates a deviation from what is considered normal.

FAQs

How can I use "unusual order" in a sentence?

You can use "unusual order" to describe something that deviates from the standard sequence or arrangement. For example, "The books were arranged in an unusual order."

What are some alternatives to "unusual order"?

Alternatives to "unusual order" include "odd order", "atypical order", or "peculiar order", depending on the context.

Is it always negative to describe something as having an "unusual order"?

Not necessarily. While "unusual order" often implies a deviation from the norm, it can simply indicate something is different or unexpected, without necessarily carrying a negative connotation.

What's the difference between "unusual order" and "unnatural order"?

"Unusual order" generally means something is simply not typical. "Unnatural order", on the other hand, suggests something is contrary to what is considered natural or expected in a fundamental way.