downright strange

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "downright strange" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very unusual or odd, often in a surprising or unsettling way. Example: "The way he spoke to the audience was downright strange, leaving everyone feeling uncomfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Books

Music

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

That's how downright strange this tour has been.

The Guardian - Sport

And that dream world, his friend said, could be downright strange.

The New York Times

For most of the 60s, such an allegiance was so unfashionable as to appear downright strange.

The Guardian - Music

The aftermath of King's death had already gotten complicated, if not downright strange.

The Guardian - Music

And above and beyond any therapeutic purposes, the sensation is downright strange.

The New York Times - Health

As he gets older, well, his behaviour starts to get downright strange.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Over the coming weeks I'll will share with you some of the most amusing, strange and downright unbelievable..

The Guardian - Money

The app's founder says it's a "game my wife originally created for her and her friends," and while it appears to be marketed for girls, what with the handwriting and middle-school-esque hearts, the number of strange and downright confusing double-entendres make me wonder.

Vice

Not just strange things, but downright unexpected things.

Huffington Post

I drive across Ireland alone, something which is viewed as not only strange here, but downright shocking.

Huffington Post

Wear these clothes with the confidence that people will buy what you are wearing no matter how expensive, or strange or well, downright unattractive they are.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "downright strange" to describe situations, behaviors, or objects that deviate significantly from the norm and evoke a sense of bewilderment or mild amusement. It's more impactful when used for unexpected or surprising deviations.

Common error

Avoid using "downright strange" too frequently in your writing, as it can lose its impact. Vary your descriptions with synonyms like "utterly bizarre" or "completely odd" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "downright strange" primarily functions as an adjectival modifier, intensifying the adjective "strange". As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound expression. It is used to emphasize the unusual or peculiar nature of a subject, as demonstrated in various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Lifestyle

15%

Books

10%

Less common in

Music

5%

Travel

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "downright strange" is a commonly used and grammatically correct adjectival phrase that intensifies the meaning of "strange", as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to express surprise or amusement at something odd, with usage most frequently observed in news and media contexts. While generally neutral, its informality makes it less suitable for highly formal settings. To avoid overuse, consider using synonyms like "utterly bizarre" or "distinctly weird" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

downright peculiar

Similar to the original phrase but uses "peculiar" instead of "strange".

utterly bizarre

Emphasizes the extreme oddity of something.

outright weird

Similar to downright strange but using a different adjective.

completely odd

Highlights the unusual nature of something without necessarily implying negativity.

thoroughly peculiar

Suggests something is strange in a detailed and comprehensive way.

distinctly weird

Emphasizes a noticeable level of strangeness.

patently absurd

Highlights the ridiculousness and lack of reason in something.

singularly unusual

Emphasizes the unique and uncommon nature of something.

remarkably odd

Highlights how noteworthy the strangeness is.

uncommonly peculiar

Indicates that the level of peculiarity is beyond the norm.

FAQs

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

You can use "downright strange" to describe something that is very unusual or odd. For example, "The situation was "downright strange", leaving everyone confused."

What can I say instead of "downright strange"?

You can use alternatives like "utterly bizarre", "completely odd", or "distinctly weird" depending on the context.

Is "downright strange" formal or informal?

"Downright strange" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversations or less formal writing. In more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "unusual" or "peculiar".

Which is correct, "downright strange" or "down right strange"?

"Downright strange" is the correct spelling, as "downright" functions as a single adverb modifying "strange".