a strange find

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a strange find" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an unusual or unexpected discovery, often in contexts like archaeology, treasure hunting, or even everyday situations. Example: "While cleaning the attic, I came across a strange find: an old, dusty box filled with letters from the 1800s."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The first two revealed a strange find — a fossilized shark tooth, and sand.

Huffington Post

Perhaps a strange find in a museum dedicated to optimistic visions of the future and precision in design, but the quote itself stumbles into a kind of ars poetica for the exhibition it introduces Maira Kalman's Maira Kalman Selects which celebrates the incidental, the happenstance, and perhaps even the occasional error or malfunction.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Dr. Mahmoud al-Zahar, a leader of Hamas, said one of the men was examining a strange toy found in the car when the explosion occurred.

The New York Times

But happiness is a strange thing, found in the most unexpected of places.

BBC

Steve Squyres, lead scientist for NASA's Mars rover Opportunity, points at a strange rock found by the rover on Jan . 8 , 2014where earlier there had been nothing, during a Jan . 16presentation.

Huffington Post

Some have had to navigate a strange country and find their voices in a new language.

The New York Times

And is this a strange letter to find in a book of nonsense?

The New Yorker

"It was a strange position to find myself in," she said.

The New York Times

But it was a strange place to find yourself in and an experiment that went on far too long".

The New York Times - Arts

It's a strange object to find there: Islamic extremists are not known for their maritime collectibles.

The Guardian

The National Videogame Arcade may seem like a strange place to find a member of the clergy, but Bottley feels right at home.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an archaeological excavation or historical research, use "a strange find" to add intrigue and emphasize the mystery surrounding an unearthed object.

Common error

Avoid using "a strange find" to describe everyday occurrences or easily explainable situations. The phrase is most effective when the discovery genuinely defies easy categorization or explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strange find" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies something discovered that is unusual or peculiar. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in sentences where the discovery is the focus.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a strange find" is a noun phrase denoting the discovery of something unusual or unexpected. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, especially in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct, it's most effective when describing discoveries that defy easy explanation, adding an element of intrigue. Alternatives like "an unusual discovery" or "a peculiar discovery" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Avoid overusing it in mundane situations to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unusual discovery

Replaces "strange" with "unusual" and "find" with "discovery", focusing on the unexpected nature of the discovery.

a peculiar discovery

Substitutes "strange" with "peculiar", emphasizing the odd or eccentric nature of the finding.

an odd discovery

Uses "odd" in place of "strange" to highlight the abnormality of the discovered item.

a curious discovery

Replaces "strange" with "curious", suggesting the finding piques interest and invites further investigation.

an unexpected discovery

Focuses on the surprise element of the finding, highlighting that it was not anticipated.

a surprising discovery

Similar to 'unexpected discovery' but emphasizes the element of amazement or astonishment.

a remarkable discovery

Highlights the noteworthy or significant aspect of the finding.

an anomalous find

Uses "anomalous" to emphasize that the finding deviates from the norm or is inconsistent with expectations.

a bizarre discovery

Replaces "strange" with "bizarre" to emphasize the highly unusual and often unsettling nature of the discovery.

a singular discovery

Suggests the discovery is unique and without parallel, making it stand out from other findings.

FAQs

What does "a strange find" mean?

The phrase "a strange find" refers to the discovery of something unusual, unexpected, or difficult to explain. It often implies that the discovered item or information is intriguing or mysterious.

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

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

How to use "a strange find" in a sentence?

You can use "a strange find" in sentences like, "During the excavation, the team unearthed a strange find: a fossilized shark tooth." or "The detective considered the missing glove a strange find in the abandoned building."

Is "a strange finding" grammatically correct instead of "a strange find"?

While "finding" can be a noun, "find" is more commonly used in this context to refer to the discovered object itself. "A strange finding" is grammatically correct but less conventional than "a strange find" when referring to a discovered object.