unusual year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unusual year" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a year that has experienced events or circumstances that are not typical or expected. Example: "The pandemic made 2020 an unusual year for everyone around the globe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"An unusual year leads to unusual avalanches.

The New York Times - Sports

It's been an unusual year".

The Guardian

"It's been an unusual year," Williams said.

The New York Times - Sports

This was a very, very unusual year".

The New York Times

Maybe it's just a different and unusual year.

The New York Times - Sports

But this is an unusual year in other ways, too.

The New York Times - Sports

This is an unusual year for the toy industry.

The Guardian - Business

CHINA'S armed forces are enjoying an unusual year in the sun.

The Economist

But in such an unusual year it is hard to pinpoint a single cause.

The New York Times

It has been a hard year, but it has not been an unusual year.

The New Yorker

In an unusual year, the Knicks will play their six preseason games on the road.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "unusual year", provide specific context or examples to illustrate what made the year different from the norm. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that it was an "unusual year" without providing context. This can make your writing vague and less informative. Instead, highlight the specific events or factors that made the year stand out.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unusual year" functions as a descriptor, modifying the noun "year" to indicate that the specified period deviated from the norm. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unusual year" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a period marked by atypical events. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this descriptor functions to convey that a specific year experienced deviations from the norm. The phrase is versatile, suitable for neutral registers, and appears frequently in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, providing specific context to illustrate the "unusual" aspects enhances clarity and impact. Alternatives like "exceptional year" or "extraordinary year" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptional year

Emphasizes a year that stands out positively due to outstanding events or achievements.

extraordinary year

Highlights a year filled with remarkable and uncommon occurrences.

atypical year

Focuses on the deviation from the typical or usual characteristics of a year.

unconventional year

Stresses the departure from established norms and practices during the year.

singular year

Implies a year that is unique and unparalleled in its nature.

rare year

Highlights the infrequency and uncommon nature of the year's events.

odd year

Suggests a year marked by strange or peculiar incidents.

abnormal year

Indicates a deviation from the standard or expected conditions of a year.

surprising year

Focuses on the unexpected and startling events that characterized the year.

unique year

Underlines the distinct and unparalleled nature of the year.

FAQs

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

You can use "unusual year" to describe a period marked by atypical events. For example, "Due to the global pandemic, 2020 was an "unusual year" for travel and tourism".

What are some alternatives to "unusual year"?

Alternatives include "exceptional year", "extraordinary year", or "atypical year", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "a very unusual year"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to emphasize the degree to which the year differed from the norm. For instance, "2016 was a "very unusual year" in politics".

What makes a year "unusual"?

A year becomes "unusual" when it experiences events, trends, or conditions that deviate significantly from the expected or established patterns. This could include economic shifts, social changes, or environmental events.