behaving somehow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "behaving somehow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a manner of behavior that is not clearly defined or understood. Example: "The dog was behaving somehow, as if it sensed something unusual in the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Later, she said to me, "Why have you been behaving somehow?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A CR is a radio that is able to behave somehow as a cognitive system, having at least the capabilities of observing, making decisions and adapting, i.e., the three main functions of the simplified cognitive cycle.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

It has to be noted here that the various prediction algorithms behave somehow differently.

Bioinformatics

"But, regardless, is a celebrity who behaves badly somehow excused because of his or her fame, unlike antagonists in other memoirs that don't include celebrities?" "Am I in that chapter?" she asked, with a serious tone.

Huffington Post

We shouldn't accept rape and death threats as punishment for making trouble, not asking politely or somehow behaving outside of the bounds of geek social culture.

The Guardian - Opinion

Is the implication here that any financial institution (or any business enterprise, for that matter) that seeks a return on its investments and then seeks to protect those investments in the face of adverse market conditions is somehow behaving in a greedy or fearful or generally unbecoming manner?

The New York Times

However the car is behaving, Alonso can somehow force it into doing what he wants, get a lap time that others could not, and do it consistently, pounding out lap after lap right on the limit.

BBC

They have behaved as though somehow, through some economic magic perhaps, or the power of prayer, this ocean of joblessness will just disappear.

The New York Times

From my experience of various jobs over the years, I tend to think that customers, myself included, are generally pretty badly behaved and yet somehow this woman seems to feel real love for her passengers.

The Guardian - Books

To Schlöndorff, the story showed that, "even when she is involved, she is never so totally involved that she could not observe the way people behave and be somehow amused by it".

The New Yorker

It was in the way that one of the priests behaved that indicated somehow that he must know something, that he must have some contact with some important person.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "behaving somehow" when you want to describe behavior that is noticeable but difficult to define precisely. This phrasing allows you to acknowledge the behavior without committing to a specific interpretation.

Common error

While acceptable, "behaving somehow" can sound vague in formal contexts. Consider using more precise language to describe the specific behavior you are observing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "behaving somehow" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase adds a layer of ambiguity or uncertainty to the description of behavior.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "behaving somehow" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to describe actions that are peculiar, difficult to define, or unexpected. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears in various contexts, including news, scientific articles, and general media. When writing with the phrase, it's useful to keep in mind that while the phrase is grammatically sound, one should strive for precision in formal writing or technical contexts where more descriptive alternatives may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acting in a way

Replaces "behaving" with a more general term, focusing on the action itself.

acting in some manner

Similar to "acting in a way", but slightly more formal.

conducting oneself

A more formal and self-aware way of describing behavior.

acting strangely

Specifies that the behavior is unusual or odd.

acting peculiarly

Similar to "acting strangely", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the oddness.

acting unusually

Highlights the departure from typical behavior.

acting differently

Emphasizes the contrast with previous or expected behavior.

performing in a certain manner

Focuses on the performance or execution of the behavior.

managing to act

Highlights the effort or difficulty involved in the behavior.

presenting oneself

Focuses on the impression being given by the behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "behaving somehow" in a sentence?

You can use "behaving somehow" to describe actions that seem unusual or inexplicable. For example, "The algorithm was "behaving erratically", leading to unexpected results".

What are some alternatives to "behaving somehow"?

Alternatives include "acting strangely", "behaving unusually", or "acting in a peculiar manner", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "behaving somehow"?

While grammatically correct, "behaving somehow" might be too vague for formal or technical writing where precision is paramount. In such cases, specify the behavior more clearly.

What's the difference between "behaving somehow" and "acting normally"?

"Behaving somehow" suggests that the behavior deviates from the norm, while "acting normally" implies that the behavior aligns with typical expectations.