Frequently Misused/Misspelled Words and Phrases, part 94

Very unique

Wrong: This is a very unique example of Etruscan pottery.
Right: This is a unique example of Etruscan pottery.

Unique means one-of-a-kind. Something either is or isn’t unique, just as a woman either is or isn’t pregnant. It can’t be slightly or moderately or very unique (or pregnant). “Very,” in this case—as in most—is redundant. It’s akin to “gilding the golden lily.”

This is an excerpt from my upcoming self-help book for writers of all types and skill levels, "Frequently Misused/Misspelled Words and Phrases (and how to use them correctly)"