very unusually

USAGE SUMMARY

'very unusually' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe an event or occurrence that is extraordinary or not the norm. For example: "It had been a dry summer, but it began to rain very unusually in the middle of August."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

"I know it's bizarre, but I had very unusual parents, and I was a very unusually independent kid," Mr. Brecher said.

The New York Times

Very unusually, news of the designated parks has been published in the state-controlled media.

The Economist

Very unusually, the case aroused widespread public sympathy for the plate abuser.

The Economist

And everyone on the longlist, very unusually, has been given proper coverage in the catalogue.

The Guardian - Arts

And, very unusually, you can see the direct effect in two of this year's shows.

The Guardian

But you can't have very unusually shaped districts, as we did last time".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

"She's very distinctive, unusually intelligent," Mr. Barenboim said last month from Milan between performances at the Teatro Alla Scala.

The New York Times - Arts

The road was unusually very quiet.

The Guardian

All three advanced on a very busy and unusually sunny afternoon at the All England Club.

The New York Times - Sports

If one were to commission a very bright and unusually tasteful adolescent to design his ideal workplace, Epic's headquarters would probably be the result.

The New Yorker

The public square just off 60th Anniversary of October Street in the Moscow suburb of Novye Cheryomushki ("New Cherry Town") is a very ordinary, if unusually placid, place.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very unusually" to emphasize that something deviates significantly from the norm or expected pattern. This phrase adds weight to the description of the exceptional event or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "very unusually" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "unusually" or "rarely" may be more appropriate and maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very unusually" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an action is performed or a state exists. According to Ludwig AI, it highlights the exceptional or atypical nature of the event being described.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

24%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very unusually" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that emphasizes the exceptional nature of an event or situation. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe something that deviates significantly from the norm. It is most common in news and media, with some presence in science and general contexts. While appropriate for formal writing, it can also be used in less formal contexts when a strong emphasis is desired. Be mindful of overuse in casual conversation where simpler alternatives may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly atypical

Emphasizes the deviation from the typical or expected.

extremely rare

Focuses on the infrequency of the occurrence.

remarkably uncommon

Highlights the unexpected nature of the rarity.

strikingly exceptional

Stresses the outstanding and atypical quality.

singularly peculiar

Indicates a unique and odd characteristic.

quite exceptional

Underlines that something is an exception to the norm.

distinctively different

Focuses on the marked contrast from the usual.

decidedly abnormal

Emphasizes that something is not in accordance with what is normal.

patently anomalous

Highlights the clear and undeniable deviation from the norm.

uncommonly strange

Emphasizes the unusual nature of something that is strange.

FAQs

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

Use "very unusually" to emphasize that something is happening in a way that is not typical or expected. For example, "Very unusually, the weather was warm in December."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "very unusually"?

Alternatives include "highly atypical", "extremely rare", or "remarkably uncommon" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to use "very unusually"?

While "unusually" already implies something out of the ordinary, adding "very" amplifies the degree of deviation from the norm. This amplification can be effective when you want to strongly emphasize the exceptional nature of something.

What's the difference between "unusually" and "very unusually"?

"Unusually" indicates that something is not typical. "Very unusually" intensifies this meaning, suggesting that the deviation from the norm is significant and noteworthy.