was not unique

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not unique" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was common or not distinct in a particular context. Example: "The design of the building was not unique, as many similar structures could be found in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was not unique.

The New York Times

Hillsborough was not unique.

The Guardian - Opinion

His experience was not unique.

The New York Times

Jefferson's difficulty was not unique.

The New York Times

But he was not unique".

The New Yorker

My situation was not unique.

The New York Times - Tech

But Iraq was not unique.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the situation was not unique.

The New York Times - Magazine

His appeal was not unique.

The Washington Post

My experience was not unique.

The New York Times

But her delusion was not unique.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not unique" to highlight that a particular event, situation, or characteristic is not isolated or exceptional, helping to provide context or perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "was not unique" when attempting to emphasize the individuality of something. If the intention is to stress a quality of specialness, consider using phrases that highlight distinctiveness instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not unique" functions as a descriptive statement used to indicate that a particular situation, event, or characteristic is not exceptional or isolated. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was not unique" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something is not isolated or exceptional. As Ludwig AI confirms, it enjoys broad usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. When aiming for alternatives, consider phrases like "was not unparalleled" or "was not singular" for similar meanings. Be mindful not to use "was not unique" when trying to highlight distinctiveness. This phrase serves to provide context and perspective by emphasizing commonality rather than individuality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not unparalleled

Replaces "unique" with its antonym "paralleled", changing the negation to convey a similar meaning.

was not unmatched

Substitutes "unique" with "matched", implying a similar occurrence or instance.

was not singular

Replaces "unique" with "singular", emphasizing a lack of distinctiveness.

was not isolated

Implies the event or situation occurred in conjunction with others, rather than standing alone.

was not exceptional

Substitutes "unique" with "exceptional", suggesting the instance was ordinary.

was not uncommon

Directly states that the event or situation happened with some frequency.

was not unprecedented

Indicates that the situation had occurred before, differing from being original.

was not rare

Suggests that the event or circumstance was fairly typical, contrasting with unusual occurrences.

was a recurring event

Focuses on the repetitive nature of the situation, rather than its distinctiveness.

was a common occurrence

Emphasizes that the situation was something that happened frequently or generally.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was not unique" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "was not unparalleled", "was not singular", or "was not unprecedented" depending on the context.

Is "was not unique" grammatically correct?

Yes, "was not unique" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that something is not the only one of its kind or is not exceptional.

What does "was not unique" mean?

"Was not unique" means that something is not the only one of its kind or is not special or unusual. It suggests that similar instances have occurred or exist.

When should I use "was not unique" instead of "was unique"?

Use "was not unique" when you want to convey that something is commonplace or ordinary, and "was unique" when you want to emphasize its distinctiveness or exceptional nature.