what made it unique

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what made it unique" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the distinctive qualities or characteristics of a person, object, event, or idea. Example: "The artist's innovative use of color and texture is what made it unique in the contemporary art scene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

What made it unique was its insistent internationalism".

The Guardian - Books

What made it unique was its combination of power and vagueness.

The New Yorker

What made it unique was its ability to derive structure without having to first define a database of nouns, verbs, etc. as traditionally would be the case with NLP.

TechCrunch

The campaign was fronted by Kelly Brook posing as a voluptuous fallen angel, but what made it unique was a stunt at London's Victoria Station, known by its orchestrators as Angel Ambush.

BBC

What made it unique is what's also made it obsolete.

The Guardian - Sport

It was only after Pryor had left Peoria and wrested a certain level of success from the world that he was able to see his own negroism, and what made it unique.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But what makes it unique is its date of publication, which was 1983.

The Guardian - Arts

But what makes it unique is its visualization tool (vision) that lets you discover more music, based on similar artists.

TechCrunch

But what makes it unique is its strong emphasis on historic preservation as the centerpiece around which a new mixed-use area will be built.

Huffington Post

Kim McMullen, a professor of English at Kenyon, said that a large part of the college's appeal, and what makes it unique, is its integration with the community.

Huffington Post

"It's suited for residential, and what makes it unique is its location with the Seminole Trail on the west side of the property and large frontage on International Parkway".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what made it unique", ensure that the context clearly identifies the subject being discussed. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "what made it unique" when the uniqueness is already implied. For instance, instead of saying "Its unique design is what made it unique", simplify it to "Its unique design made it stand out".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what made it unique" functions as a subject complement, identifying and describing a specific quality or characteristic that distinguishes something. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is often used to pinpoint the key differentiating factor of a subject.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what made it unique" serves to emphasize the distinctive qualities that set something apart. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in News & Media. When employing the phrase, clarity and context are paramount to prevent redundancy. Alternatives such as "what distinguished it" or "what set it apart" can add sophistication to your writing. By understanding its grammatical function and communicative purpose, writers can effectively use "what made it unique" to highlight the specific attributes that differentiate a subject from others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what distinguished it

Focuses on the act of setting something apart from others.

what set it apart

Emphasizes the element that caused differentiation.

what characterized it

Highlights the defining attributes of something.

what defined it

Indicates the factors that shaped its essence or nature.

what was its distinguishing feature

Directly asks about the element that differentiated it.

what was its defining trait

Focuses on a specific characteristic that set it apart.

what gave it its individuality

Highlights the source of its unique identity.

what made it stand out

Emphasizes the element that made it noticeable or prominent.

what was its singularity

Directly refers to its unique quality or condition.

what was its special quality

Highlights a notable aspect that made it exceptional.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "what made it unique" to sound more sophisticated?

Consider using phrases like "what distinguished it", "what set it apart", or "its defining characteristic" for a more refined tone. These alternatives emphasize the distinctive qualities without repeating "unique".

What's the difference between "what made it unique" and "what makes it unique"?

"What made it unique" refers to something in the past that contributed to its distinctiveness, whereas "what makes it unique" refers to something currently contributing to its uniqueness. The former describes a past attribute, and the latter describes a present attribute.

Is it redundant to use "what made it unique" when the subject already implies uniqueness?

Yes, it can be. For example, saying "its originality is what made it unique" is redundant. Instead, simply state "its originality made it stand out". Refrain from being unnecessarily repetitive.

What are some examples of sentences using "what made it unique"?

Examples include: "What made it unique was its insistent internationalism", or "What made it unique was its combination of power and vagueness". These sentences highlight specific attributes that differentiated a subject from others.