unusual search

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unusual search" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a search that is atypical or not commonly conducted, often implying that the search is for something out of the ordinary. Example: "The detective conducted an unusual search of the abandoned warehouse, looking for clues that others might have overlooked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But Mr. Sugawara considers his struggle to be much more than a somewhat unusual search for identity, or even the struggle of an individual for acceptance.

The New York Times

During Mr. Dolan's tenure, the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted a highly unusual search of the company's headquarters on Park Avenue in New York.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration failed on Monday to persuade the Supreme Court to hear its argument that the Federal Bureau of Investigation's highly unusual search of a Louisiana congressman's office nearly two years ago was carried out properly.

The New York Times

In an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal earlier this week, Michael Mukasey, who served as the Attorney General from 2007 to 2009, questioned whether the potential crimes that the Southern District is looking into, which include bank fraud and violating the campaign-finance laws, justified the use of "an intrusive and unusual search warrant".

The New Yorker

In the spirit of his generation — the one that brought us extreme sports, and made a mini celebrity out of a blogger who traded a paper clip for a house, and a mega celebrity out of a socialite who went on reality TV to move from job to job in "The Simple Life" — Mr. Aiken has begun a most unusual search.

The New York Times

Contradicting past statements that no records exist of police involvement in the search for the lost prototype, San Francisco Police Department spokesman Lt. Troy Dangerfield now tells SF Weekly that "three or four" SFPD officers accompanied two Apple security officials in an unusual search of a Bernal Heights man's home".

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

After that, Brunswick News obtained an unusual private search warrant.

The New York Times

This is unusual when searching for relationships between rarity and value (i.e. correlations).

Plosone

She said Argentine authorities conducted "an unusual and unannounced search of the aircraft's cargo, seizing certain items".

The New York Times

— In early 2008, in the early days of the iPhone era, Google engineers began noticing something unusual in the search engine's logs.

The New York Times - Tech

(Ages 10 and up) In the outpouring of books about 9/11, this slim collection of stories and essays stands out for its rich prose, its unusual reporting, its search for context, its reminder of wonders.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing investigations or inquiries that deviate from standard practices, use "unusual search" to emphasize the uniqueness or atypical nature of the process. This can add depth and intrigue to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "unusual search" solely to denote a search that is challenging or complex. The phrase is most effective when highlighting the non-standard or peculiar aspects of the search process itself, not just its difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unusual search" functions as a noun phrase where "unusual" modifies the noun "search". It describes a search that is not typical or ordinary. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing examples where the phrase denotes a search that deviates from standard practices.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unusual search" is a grammatically correct and usable term in written English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe a search that deviates from the norm, emphasizing its uniqueness or atypical nature. While not exceptionally common, it finds consistent usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, suggesting a neutral register. When using "unusual search", prioritize conveying the non-standard elements of the search process rather than just its difficulty to fully capture its intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

atypical search

Focuses on the deviation from the typical characteristics of a search.

rare investigation

Emphasizes the infrequency of such an investigation.

peculiar hunt

Highlights the odd or strange nature of the hunt.

singular exploration

Stresses the unique nature of the exploration.

uncommon quest

Indicates the rarity of the quest.

extraordinary seeking

Emphasizes the remarkable nature of the seeking.

uncharacteristic inquiry

Highlights the divergence from the typical inquiry.

novel pursuit

Focuses on the new or original nature of the pursuit.

distinctive search

Highlights the unique or easily distinguishable nature of the search.

unconventional investigation

Focuses on the departure from conventional methods in the investigation.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "unusual search" in a sentence?

Use "unusual search" to describe a specific investigation or exploration that deviates from the norm. For instance, "The detective conducted an "unusual search" of the crime scene, focusing on overlooked details".

What are some alternatives to "unusual search"?

You might consider using terms like "atypical search", "rare investigation", or "peculiar hunt" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "unusual search" when describing a difficult investigation?

While a difficult investigation might involve unusual methods, "unusual search" is more precise when emphasizing the non-standard aspects of the search process itself, rather than just the complexity.

What distinguishes an "unusual search" from a typical investigation?

An "unusual search" stands out due to its atypical methods, focus, or objective. It's not just about the difficulty, but the departure from established procedures or the pursuit of something out of the ordinary.