unusually enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"unusually enough" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is strange or out of the ordinary. For example, "Unusually enough, the most popular item at the store was a spare tire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Emotions are running high and accusations abound.Yet unusually enough, life for most Georgians has so far carried on as normal.

The Economist

It is the only element to form a stable singly charged cation with the outer n-1 d10ns2 n-1 d10ns2, unusually enough, not an inert gas configuration.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unusually enough, MacDiarmid was actively engaged in both wars, with the Royal Army Medical Corps in the first and as a shipbuilding worker on Clydeside in the second.

The Guardian - Books

She also won an Olympic silver medal in the mixed doubles, playing with Andy Murray – an all-round rather heartening result for British tennis and those who follow it that was, unusually enough, slightly overshadowed at the time by Murray's singles gold.

The Guardian - Sport

The campaign has been credited with helping make Herbal Essences one of the leading hair-care brands, but it has also come in for withering criticism -- some from within the advertising industry itself, unusually enough -- as being sexist, smarmy and offensive to women.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But it's also because, unusually, there has been enough time to tinker with small things.

Independent

They're predictable enough, though, unusually for this company, there's what appears to be a gay duet.

The Guardian

Warren paused for an unusually long time, long enough that the weight of the question could not be missed, and then said just, "Yes, I do".

The New Yorker

But on March 29, astronomers detected the closest one yet known, at 2.6 billion light-years, close enough for unusually detailed study.

The New York Times

Over the last five years, Dr. Proffitt said, measurements of stratospheric temperatures in October over Antarctica have shown an unusually large area cold enough to form ozone-destroying clouds.

The New York Times - Science

The sequence for The World Is Not Enough is unusually long: at over fourteen minutes it is two to three times the length of most others.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unusually enough" to introduce a statement that contrasts with what might typically be expected, adding an element of surprise or mild irony to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "unusually enough" in highly formal or academic writing where a more direct or sophisticated phrasing might be more appropriate. In those contexts consider replacing with "surprisingly", "unexpectedly" or "remarkably".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unusually enough" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause or sentence to express surprise or unexpectedness. It adds a layer of emphasis to the statement, highlighting that something is contrary to what one might typically assume. Ludwig's examples confirm its role in introducing unexpected situations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unusually enough" serves as an adverbial phrase used to introduce a statement that contrasts with expectations, expressing surprise or mild irony. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct but infrequent in usage. Predominantly found in news and encyclopedic contexts, its register is generally neutral. When writing, remember to consider the context, as more formal phrasing might be better suited for certain settings. Alternatives like "surprisingly" or "unexpectedly" can offer similar meaning with a different tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strangely enough

Mirrors the structure of the original phrase, substituting "unusually" with "strangely", indicating a sense of bewilderment.

oddly enough

Similar in structure, but replaces "unusually" with "oddly", suggesting something strange or peculiar.

curiously enough

Highlights the intriguing or peculiar aspect of something, making it worthy of attention.

surprisingly

This is a single-word alternative emphasizing the unexpected nature of something, offering a shorter and more direct option.

unexpectedly

This emphasizes the lack of anticipation for something, focusing on the element of surprise.

remarkably

This single word emphasizes the extraordinary or noteworthy nature of a situation.

it's peculiar that

Introduces the statement as something strange or unconventional.

in an unusual manner

A more formal and descriptive alternative, focusing on the atypical way something is done.

contrary to expectations

Similar to "against all expectations", this highlights the discrepancy between what was expected and what actually happened.

against all expectations

This stresses that the result was contrary to what was predicted or anticipated.

FAQs

What does "unusually enough" mean?

The phrase "unusually enough" is used to express surprise or highlight something that is unexpected or out of the ordinary. It's similar to saying "surprisingly" or "oddly enough".

How can I use "unusually enough" in a sentence?

You can use "unusually enough" to introduce a fact or observation that contrasts with what one might expect. For example, "Unusually enough, the store's most popular item was a spare tire."

What are some alternatives to "unusually enough"?

Some alternatives to "unusually enough" include "surprisingly", "unexpectedly", "oddly enough", or "strangely enough". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "unusually enough" formal or informal?

The phrase "unusually enough" leans towards the neutral to informal side. While acceptable in many contexts, it might be better to use a more formal alternative like "remarkably" or "contrary to expectations" in highly formal writing.