student asking question

Does the phrase "that's unusual" implies a negative connotation?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Here it does imply a negative connotation! Since it can be considered a negative thing to go against social norms and expectations. But it's not always negative. If something's unusual, it can also be something worth noting or something unexpected. Either in a good, bad, or neutral way. Ex: The changes they made to the company were unusual. I don't think they should have implemented them. Ex: A: My friend has been acting unusual lately. B: A good unusual or a bad unusual?

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