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Preposition after adjective

Unusual for vs. unusual in

Use unusual for to describe what is not typical of a person, thing, or situation. Use unusual in to describe the area, field, or aspect where something is uncommon.

Quick answer

Which preposition goes with unusual?

Unusual for is the most common pattern when you mean something is not typical. Unusual in is used when referring to a specific area, setting, or quality.

It is unusual for him to arrive late.
Snow is unusual in this region.
That level of detail is unusual for a short report.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
unusual for + person/thing

Showing something is not typical

Use unusual for to compare behaviour or qualities with what is normally expected.

It was unusual for Maya to stay silent.
Such delays are unusual for this airline.
2
unusual for + someone + to-infinitive

Describing unexpected actions

This structure introduces an action that seems surprising or atypical.

It is unusual for them to cancel at the last minute.
It was unusual for him to refuse the offer.
3
unusual in + place/field/respect

Describing where something is uncommon

Use unusual in when referring to a location, field, period, or aspect.

Heavy rain is unusual in August here.
Such honesty is unusual in politics.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
unusual for
It is unusual for the shop to close early.
not typical or expected
unusual in
That colour is unusual in modern office design.
uncommon within a place, field, or category
unusual on
Traffic was unusual on Monday morning.
here on introduces time; it is not selected by unusual
unusual with
She was unusually patient with the children.
with belongs to patient, not unusual

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using in instead of for with actions

Use unusual for before a person and infinitive.

✕ It was unusual in her to complain. ✓ It was unusual for her to complain.

Forgetting the area after unusual in

Unusual in normally introduces a field, place, or respect.

✕ The behaviour was unusual in. ✓ The behaviour was unusual in that environment.

Confusing unusual for with unusual to

Use for, not to, when meaning not typical.

✕ It is unusual to him. ✓ It is unusual for him.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. It is unusual ___ the team to lose at home.
2. Snow is unusual ___ this coastal area.
3. Which sentence is correct? ___

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Frequently asked questions

Can I say unusual for someone to do something?

Yes. This is a very common structure: It is unusual for him to be late.

When do we use unusual in?

Use unusual in when talking about a place, field, period, or aspect where something is uncommon.

Is unusual on correct?

Not usually as a fixed combination. On may appear separately as a time or place adjunct, such as on Monday.

ubiquitous in, on, across, throughout or for? "ugly in", "ugly for" or "ugly of"? ultimate in, of, for, on or as? "unacceptable to", "unacceptable in" or "unacceptable for"? unaccounted for unaccustomed to or in? unacquainted with unaffected by, in, for or with? "unaffordable for" or "unaffordable to"? unanimous in, on, about, regarding or for? "unattractive to" or "unattractive for"? "unavailable for" or "unavailable to"?

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