a strange distinction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a strange distinction" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an unusual or unexpected difference or separation between two or more things. Example: "The author makes a strange distinction between happiness and contentment, suggesting they are not the same."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Tucked into that sentence is a strange distinction; apparently, some of the things we experience while alive count as life while others do not.

The New Yorker

That might seem a strange distinction to a layman, but in the argot elimination is defined as a reduction in the number of cases in a population to below one per 10,000 people; eradication implies that no cases exist at all.

The Economist

The decision, concerning the activities of some people charged with terrorism (whose names were placed on both the United Nations and the European Union lists), makes a strange distinction, invented by the judge herself, between terrorists and guerrillas.

EU Parlament

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"La Pointe Courte" later earned Varda the nickname Grandmother of the New Wave — a slightly strange distinction, since she was born only a couple of years before other pioneers of the movement, like her husband, Jacques Demy, or her friend Jean-Luc Godard, who was twenty-nine when "Breathless" came out, in 1960.

The New Yorker

McLuhan, of course, is the man who coined the term "global village," came up with phrase "the medium is the message" and drew the strange distinction between a "hot," or sharp, medium -- "one that extends one single sense in 'high definition' " -- and a "cool," or fuzzy, medium.

The New York Times - Arts

This leads to strange distinctions.

The New York Times - Arts

It soon became clear that a strange, racially charged and legally confused distinction would be at the heart of Pistorius's trial.

The Guardian

At first glance, for example, 24 pairs of eyebrows look more like birds flying in a strange formation than like examples of facial hair with subtle distinctions.

The New York Times - Tech

New Orleans, with its unhappy distinction of being a place that can get completely submerged, is a strange place to leave your personal effects for the summer.

The New York Times

GamesRadar commented "Poison holds a distinction as one of gaming's first trans characters, which began as a strange choice in localization but has become a part of the character that she wears with pride.

Wikipedia

It's a strange, strange sport".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a strange distinction", ensure the context clearly establishes why the distinction is considered unusual or unexpected to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "strange" too frequently in your writing. While "a strange distinction" is acceptable, repeatedly using "strange" can weaken its impact. Vary your language with synonyms like "peculiar", "unusual", or "odd" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strange distinction" functions as a noun phrase, where "strange" modifies the noun "distinction". It typically serves to highlight an unusual or unexpected difference between two or more things. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a strange distinction" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote an unusual or unexpected difference. As Ludwig AI points out, it's perfectly acceptable in English writing. While relatively rare in overall usage, it finds its primary contexts in news, media, and scientific publications. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly explains why the distinction is deemed "strange". For more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "an anomalous differentiation". Varying your word choice will help to maintain the strength of your writing and prevent a strange feeling from overuse of the word "strange".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an odd separation

Replaces "strange" with "odd" and "distinction" with "separation", altering the tone slightly.

a peculiar difference

Uses "peculiar" instead of "strange", highlighting the unusual nature of the difference.

an unusual contrast

Emphasizes the contrast between the items being distinguished.

a curious division

Replaces "strange" with "curious" and "distinction" with "division", suggesting intrigue.

an anomalous differentiation

Uses more formal vocabulary to express the unusual nature of the difference.

a remarkable discrepancy

Highlights the unexpected nature of the difference as a notable inconsistency.

a notable divergence

Focuses on the point where things deviate in an unexpected way.

a bizarre comparison

Replaces "distinction" with comparison and makes the case more shocking with the world "bizarre".

a subtle yet important variation

Emphasizes the refinement and significance of the divergence

an unexpected nuance

Highlights that the variation wasn't expected and yet it's there in a subtle way.

FAQs

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

Use "a strange distinction" when pointing out an unusual or unexpected difference between two things. For instance, "The author makes "a strange distinction" between happiness and contentment, suggesting they are not the same".

What are some alternatives to saying "a strange distinction"?

You can use alternatives like "an odd separation", "a peculiar difference", or "an unusual contrast" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a strange distinction" formal or informal?

"A strange distinction" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider using a more sophisticated synonym like "an anomalous differentiation".

What makes "a strange distinction" different from "a subtle difference"?

"A strange distinction" implies that the difference is unexpected or unusual, whereas "a subtle difference" simply means the difference is difficult to perceive. The former highlights the unexpected nature, while the latter emphasizes the delicateness of the distinction.