a strange matter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a strange matter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or topic that is unusual or difficult to understand. Example: "The investigation revealed a strange matter that left everyone puzzled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was a strange matter to raise at talks which had been dominated by a debate over Iraq's role in swelling British extremism, and his intervention stuck in the minds of those who were there.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And a strange thing happens: no matter what I have fallen asleep watching, when I wake up in the middle of the night "Girls Gone Wild" is on.

The New Yorker

Ideally, a chunk of strange matter would contain equal numbers of up, down, and strange quarks, giving it a neutral charge.

Science Magazine

A few hundred feet away from the Mars display, at a carnival-like booth that was part of an exhibition called "Strange Matter," children were supposed to learn about the strength of tempered glass by trying to smash a pane of it with a bowling ball.

The New York Times - Arts

But there is also the possibility, although it is hotly disputed, that once the quark-soup core of a neutron star has turned into strange matter, it would initiate a chain-reaction that would turn the remaining neutrons into strange matter too.

The Economist

She returns to an earlier theme: the strange matter of how the phrase "The Queen Herod of Literature" came to be emblazoned across the covers of her books, accompanied by the name Gore Vidal.

The Guardian - Books

But inside a neutron star, they would do just fine and could combine with up and down quarks to make a new kind of matter: strange matter.

Science Magazine

In fact, there may be no such thing as a 'normal' neutron star if strange matter is stable under those conditions, he says.

Science Magazine

But according to Bob Jaffe, a physicist at MIT who is an expert on the theory of strange matter, no such isotopes have ever been found which sharply reduces the chances that strange matter actually exists.Evidently the effort to understand the behaviour of quark soup, both on earth and in the heavens, has some way to go yet.

The Economist

In theory, strange quarks can unite with up quarks and down quarks to produce an object called a strangelet, the basic component of an alternative sort of stuff called strange matter.

The Economist

The warp drive scenario got a boost when a NASA-linked lab announced that they thought they could sorta kinda fold space... if they could get enough strange matter (as in a few stellar masses' worth) and manage to stabilize it beyond the usual nanosecond life length.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a strange matter", ensure the context clearly establishes the specific aspect of the matter that is considered strange or unusual. Providing context helps the reader understand the nature of the strangeness.

Common error

Avoid using "a strange matter" as a vague placeholder. Instead, specify why the matter is strange; otherwise, the phrase becomes a cliché and loses its impact. Be precise and descriptive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strange matter" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "strange" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "matter". It describes something that is peculiar or unusual. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

39%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a strange matter" is a grammatically sound and functional noun phrase used to describe something unusual or peculiar. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. While not overly common, it appears mainly in news, science, and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure to provide adequate context to clarify the nature of the strangeness. Consider alternatives like "an odd situation" or "a peculiar issue" for varied expression. Despite its simplicity, the phrase adds intrigue when used judiciously in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an odd situation

Replaces "strange" with "odd" and "matter" with "situation", focusing on the unusual aspect of a circumstance.

a peculiar issue

Substitutes "strange" with "peculiar" and "matter" with "issue", highlighting the unusual and problematic nature of something.

a curious case

Replaces "strange" with "curious" and "matter" with "case", emphasizing the intriguing and investigatory nature of something.

a bizarre affair

Uses "bizarre" instead of "strange" and "affair" in place of "matter", amplifying the oddity and suggesting a complex or scandalous situation.

an unusual event

Replaces "strange" with "unusual" and "matter" with "event", focusing on the uncommon occurrence of something.

a mysterious circumstance

Substitutes "strange" with "mysterious" and "matter" with "circumstance", highlighting the unknown and puzzling nature of something.

an enigmatic situation

Replaces "strange" with "enigmatic" and "matter" with "situation", suggesting something that is difficult to interpret or understand.

a perplexing problem

Uses "perplexing" instead of "strange" and "problem" in place of "matter", emphasizing the confusing and challenging aspect of something.

an inexplicable incident

Replaces "strange" with "inexplicable" and "matter" with "incident", highlighting the lack of clear explanation for something.

a puzzling question

Substitutes "strange" with "puzzling" and "matter" with "question", focusing on the confusing and thought-provoking nature of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a strange matter" to describe something peculiar or unusual. For example, "The detective found "a strange matter" involving a missing key and a locked room."

What's a more formal way to say "a strange matter"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "an unusual circumstance" or "a peculiar situation" as alternatives to "a strange matter".

Is "a strange matter" always the best phrase to use?

Not always. The appropriateness of "a strange matter" depends on the context. If the situation is more serious, alternatives like "a disturbing issue" might be more fitting.

What are some words I can substitute for 'strange' in "a strange matter"?

You can replace 'strange' with synonyms like "peculiar", "odd", "unusual", "bizarre", or "mysterious" to add nuance to the phrase "a strange matter".