How to use "a unrivaled"

What Does "a unrivaled" Mean?

• Meaning of the collocation or phrasal verb: "Unrivaled" means having no equal or competitor; being unsurpassed.
• Whether meaning is compositional or semi-idiomatic: The meaning is compositional. "Unrivaled" directly conveys its meaning based on the combination of "un-" (not) and "rivaled" (competed with).
• Register: Neutral

How to Use It

• Grammatical pattern: Adjective + Noun. "Unrivaled" functions as an adjective modifying a noun.
• Typical objects, complements, or prepositions that follow: The adjective "unrivaled" typically precedes a noun describing a quality, skill, achievement, or object. No prepositions directly follow "unrivaled" in this construction.
• Can the components be separated? No.
• What sounds unnatural: Using the indefinite article "a" before "unrivaled" is generally considered incorrect. While "un-" may seem like it begins with a vowel sound, the word as a whole is used as a superlative adjective and typically doesn't take an article. Saying "a unrivaled X" is incorrect; say "unrivaled X" or "an unrivaled X" only if the word immediately following 'unrivaled' begins with a vowel sound.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from a unrivaled on Ludwig.guru.

"Hartman has a unrivaled history in the league, but may still have some rust after being released by Dallas." — The Guardian - Sport

"As both a biblical historian and a working archeologist, he brings an unrivaled depth of scholarship to his work." — Los Angeles Times

"Barry was a self-made man with an unrivaled street-sense." — The New York Times

"Strauss had an unrivaled descriptive power and a remarkable ability to convey psychological detail." — Britannica

"She had an unrivaled zest for life." — The New York Times

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/a+unrivaled

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
unparalleled	A direct synonym, often used in formal contexts.
unequaled	Similar in meaning to "unrivaled," suggesting a lack of equal.
matchless	Emphasizes the superior quality and lack of comparison.
peerless	Highlights the absence of equals, suggesting high status or skill.
unsurpassed	Indicates that something has not been exceeded or bettered.
incomparable	Suggests that something is so unique that it cannot be compared to anything else.
second to none	An idiomatic expression meaning the best; without equal.

Common Mistakes

• The most common mistake is using the indefinite article 'a' before 'unrivaled' because it begins with a vowel sound, but 'unrivaled' is often used as a superlative adjective and doesn't require an article.
• Using "an" before "unrivaled" is also incorrect in most cases unless the word immediately following 'unrivaled' begins with a vowel sound.
• Avoid using "unrivaled" as a verb; it functions primarily as an adjective.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
unrivaled	Having no equal or competitor; unsurpassed.	Adjective + Noun	Neutral

FAQs

Can "a" and "unrivaled" be separated?

No, the phrase "a unrivaled" is generally incorrect and should be avoided. "Unrivaled" typically modifies a noun directly without needing an article unless the following word begins with a vowel sound, in which case "an" would be appropriate.

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How does "unrivaled" differ from "unique"?

While both suggest something special, "unrivaled" implies superiority over others in a specific category, meaning there's no equal. "Unique" simply means one-of-a-kind, without necessarily implying superiority or competition.

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Why is "a unrivaled" often considered a grammatical error, and how can I avoid it?

The most common mistake is using the indefinite article 'a' before 'unrivaled' because it begins with a vowel sound, but 'unrivaled' is often used as a superlative adjective and doesn't require an article. To avoid this, simply omit the article and use "unrivaled" directly before the noun it modifies; for example, say "unrivaled skill" instead of "a unrivaled skill."