a strange development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a strange development" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unusual or unexpected occurrence or change in a situation. Example: "The sudden resignation of the CEO was a strange development that left the company in turmoil."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It's a strange development.

The New York Times - Books

A strange development in Meroitic art around the second or third century A.D. led to a kind of Cubist Expressionism.

The New York Times - Arts

To lawyers in Britain, where we have no tradition of a legal right to privacy, this seems a strange development.

The Guardian

We've started to see numbers of humans pretending to be bots, a strange development that signals a shift in the power and identity politics of the internet.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was also being courted by the Dallas owner, Tom Hicks -- a strange development considering Hitchcock was dismissed on Jan . 25after six seasons as the Stars' coach.

The New York Times - Sports

And that is why Fletcher is still in demand all over the world - a strange development for someone who never thought he knew enough to teach.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"The agency loses its right to ask follow-up questions in the future, a really strange development that sets a bad precedent.

The New York Times

"That's a very strange development in society," says Eijkelboom. "That wasn't the intention at the start of the project, but in the end you could say the book is about a fight, a war within society: more and more, big companies have their grip on people, in producing the clothes and so on.

The Guardian - Arts

The Pyrenees have both a peculiar position in the Hercynian architecture and a strange evolution if viewed from the viewpoint of the development of orogens.

Journal of Geodynamics

For writers, this is an especially strange development.

The New Yorker

"It is a very tricky, strange development," he says.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a strange development", ensure the context clearly establishes what is considered normal or expected, so the deviation is easily understood by the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a strange development" as a vague placeholder when you haven't clearly identified the specific nature of the strangeness. Always provide sufficient context or details to justify the description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strange development" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, describing an event or situation perceived as unusual or unexpected. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a strange development" is a commonly used noun phrase to describe an unexpected or unusual event. Ludwig's analysis confirms that it's grammatically correct and particularly prevalent in news and media contexts. While suitable for various registers, it is important to provide sufficient context when using this phrase to clarify the nature of the strangeness. Alternatives such as "an odd occurrence" or "a peculiar situation" can be used to subtly shift the emphasis. The prevalence of authoritative sources employing the phrase underscores its validity and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an odd occurrence

Replaces 'development' with 'occurrence', emphasizing the event itself being odd.

an unusual event

Replaces 'strange' with 'unusual' and 'development' with 'event', highlighting the uncommon nature of the happening.

a peculiar situation

Substitutes 'strange' with 'peculiar' and 'development' with 'situation', focusing on the unusual nature of the circumstance.

a curious turn of events

Implies intrigue and unpredictability, using a more elaborate expression.

an unexpected twist

Conveys surprise and deviation from the norm, altering the original phrasing.

a surprising turn

Emphasizes the element of surprise inherent in the unfolding of events.

a bizarre incident

Emphasizes the odd and unconventional aspect by using 'bizarre' and 'incident'.

an unprecedented event

Highlights the novelty and lack of prior instances, making it stand out.

an anomalous change

Highlights the deviation from the standard or expected, using more formal language.

a remarkable happening

Focuses on the noteworthiness of the event, differing in tone.

FAQs

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

You can use "a strange development" to describe an unexpected or unusual event. For example: "The sudden resignation was "a strange development" that raised many questions."

What are some alternatives to "a strange development"?

Alternatives include phrases like "an odd occurrence", "a peculiar situation", or "an unusual event", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say 'a strange development' or 'a surprising development'?

Both "a strange development" and "a surprising development" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "A strange development" emphasizes the unusual or odd nature of the event, while "a surprising development" highlights the unexpectedness.

What makes "a strange development" different from "a normal development"?

"A strange development" indicates something out of the ordinary, while "a normal development" suggests something that aligns with expectations. The former implies deviation, the latter, conformity.