Strangeness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Strangeness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the quality or state of being strange or unusual. Example: "The strangeness of the situation left everyone feeling uneasy and confused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The tunes in them are wonderful, but the chords sound so strange to us now – and that strangeness is what interested Britten.

The Guardian - Music

For some one-factor theorists (Maher 1974), the delusion is a reasonable hypothesis given the strangeness of the experience, or the strange experience is in a sensory modality or at a processing stage where further reality testing is not available (Hohwy and Rosenberg 2005).

SEP

This strangeness is captured in the film when Vinz, who is not sure if he is stoned or not, sees a cow wandering through the estate's concrete alleyways.

The Guardian - Film

Many critics accused Téchiné of overlooking the strangeness of mythomania and creating instead a pseudo-political polemic, which sought to attack the government and society for its demonisation of the kids from the banlieues.

The Guardian - Film

All this strangeness comes together in Brown's painting of 1851-9, Pretty Baa-Lambs.

The Guardian - Arts

Meanwhile, Gordon Brown, with a characteristic combination of nobility and strangeness, announced that he would be spending part of his summer holiday working on a community project in Kirkcaldy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Joel Stewart's illustrations bring out the many moods in Andersen's stories their darkness, their vertigo-inducing strangeness, their wild flights of humour.From the same publishers comes Martin Jenkins's sensitive abridgement of Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver Walker Booksks, £14.99; to be published in America by Candlewick Press in March).

The Economist

In his third work, "Jitterbug Jam: A Monster Tale" (Hutchinson, £10.99; to be published in America by Farrar, Straus and Giroux in March), Mr Deacon collaborates with an American writer, Barbara Jean Hicks, to produce a gentle morality tale about the nature of strangeness.

The Economist

And Mr Gyllenhaal takes the character's strangeness to cartoonish extremes.

The Economist

Much of the same talent soon found itself working for a weekly TV show, "That Was The Week That Was", known as TW3, which broke broadcasting taboos and changed British television comedy for good.In this section Dark strangeness The stage of nations The bloodier the better You don't have to be Jewish to live there Enigma of the people Is truth enough?

The Economist

Bollyelf, anyone?For sheer strangeness, though, the Royal Opera House's adaptation of George Orwell's "1984", which opens in May, will be hard to beat.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "strangeness", consider the specific nuance you want to convey: is it merely unusual, or something more disturbing or alien? Choose synonyms accordingly.

Common error

While "strangeness" is widely understood, overuse in formal writing can make your tone seem less professional. In such cases, opt for synonyms like "unconventionality" or "singularity" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The noun "strangeness" functions primarily to denote a quality or state of being strange, unusual, or peculiar. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing abstract concepts, sensory experiences, and personal characteristics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the noun "strangeness" effectively captures the essence of being strange or unusual across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While adaptable to numerous scenarios, it's crucial to consider the specific nuances and formality required, opting for synonyms like "peculiarity" or "unconventionality" in more formal settings. The term sees frequent use in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias, pointing to its applicability in both descriptive and analytical writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Peculiarity

Focuses on the odd or unusual nature of something.

Oddness

Emphasizes the deviation from what is normal or expected.

Weirdness

Highlights the bizarre or unsettling quality.

Bizarreness

Stresses the extreme or grotesque nature of something.

Unconventionality

Focuses on the departure from accepted norms or standards.

Unfamiliarity

Emphasizes the lack of acquaintance or knowledge about something.

Singularity

Highlights the unique or distinct quality of something.

Anomaly

Points to a deviation from the common rule, type, or form.

Aberration

Suggests a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically with negative connotations.

Unnaturalness

Implies something is not in accordance with nature or what is considered normal.

FAQs

How can I use "strangeness" in a sentence?

"Strangeness" is typically used as a noun to describe the quality of being strange or unusual. For example, "The "strangeness" of the situation made her uneasy."

What are some synonyms for "strangeness"?

Alternatives to "strangeness" include "oddness", "peculiarity", "weirdness", and "unfamiliarity". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "strangeness" a formal or informal word?

"Strangeness" is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, synonyms like "unconventionality" or "singularity" may be preferred.

How does "strangeness" differ from "uniqueness"?

"Strangeness" implies something deviates from the norm or is peculiar, while "uniqueness" simply means being one of a kind. "Strangeness" can carry a slightly negative or unsettling connotation, while "uniqueness" is generally positive.