a strange decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a strange decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a choice or judgment that seems unusual or unexpected. Example: "The board made a strange decision to cut funding for the art program, leaving many students disappointed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

A strange decision, that.

The Guardian - Sport

This is a strange decision.

The Guardian - Opinion

Walmart's move might seem a strange decision.

The New York Times

It just seemed like a bit of a strange decision.

The Guardian - Sport

England's Lee Westwood added: "Bit of a strange decision here TheOpen.

Independent

That was a strange decision, because Stone Street was more prominent by several degrees.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

On Thursday, June 19 the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the USA (PCUSA) made a very strange decision for a church.

Huffington Post

On another look, it does seem like a very strange decision.

The Guardian - Sport

In isolation, it was a somewhat strange decision by Collingwood supporters.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a very strange decision from the young centre-back, one he will not make again.

The Guardian - Sport

It would be a very strange decision to invest all this taxpayers' money and then pull back so suddenly, pulling the work up by the roots".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a strange decision" when you want to express mild surprise, confusion, or disagreement with a choice that deviates from what is expected or considered normal.

Common error

While "a strange decision" is acceptable, consider using more precise adjectives like "unconventional", "unorthodox", or "questionable" in formal writing to convey specific nuances of your assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strange decision" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It typically expresses an opinion or judgment about a particular choice. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Sport

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a strange decision" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrase for expressing mild surprise or disagreement with an unexpected choice. As supported by Ludwig's analysis and numerous examples from reputable sources, it functions as a noun phrase, serving to critique or analyze decisions deemed unusual. Although acceptable in most contexts, more precise alternatives might be preferable in formal writing to convey nuanced meanings. Ludwig AI confirms the broad applicability of this expression, highlighting its role in expressing subjective assessments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an odd decision

Replaces "strange" with "odd", suggesting something unusual or peculiar.

a peculiar decision

Substitutes "strange" with "peculiar", emphasizing the distinct or unusual character of the decision.

an unusual choice

Uses "choice" instead of "decision", highlighting the act of selecting something uncommon.

a questionable decision

Indicates that the decision is open to doubt or challenge.

a baffling decision

Replaces "strange" with "baffling", indicating that the decision is confusing or hard to understand.

an incomprehensible decision

Highlights the lack of understanding or logic behind the decision.

a puzzling choice

Emphasizes the confusing and perplexing nature of the decision.

a curious decision

Suggests that the decision is interesting or intriguing in its strangeness.

an unexpected decision

Focuses on the surprise element of the decision.

a surprising choice

Highlights the unexpected nature of the selection made.

FAQs

How can I use "a strange decision" in a sentence?

You can use "a strange decision" to describe an action or choice that seems unusual, unexpected, or questionable. For example, "It was "a strange decision" to release the movie only in black and white".

What can I say instead of "a strange decision"?

You can use alternatives like "an odd decision", "a peculiar decision", or "a questionable decision" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a strange decision" in formal writing?

While acceptable, in formal writing, consider using more precise synonyms like "an unconventional decision" or "an unorthodox choice" to convey a more nuanced meaning.

What's the difference between "a strange decision" and "a difficult decision"?

"A strange decision" implies that the choice was unusual or unexpected, while "a difficult decision" suggests that the choice was hard to make, often involving conflicting factors.