funny that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "funny that" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to convey irony or humor, or to imply that something is unexpected. For example, "It's funny that you didn't know the answer - he only taught the lesson yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And it's funny, that analogy with smoking.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's really rather funny, that, isn't it?

The Guardian - Film

"It was so funny, that kiss!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's funny – that machismo wasn't there.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Funny; that was Ms. Klein's claim, too.

The New York Times

"They wouldn't let me - funny, that.

The Guardian

Funny, that does tell us something about Ms. Moss.

The New York Times

In a relatively small period of time, you want it to be, That's funny, that's funny, that's funny, that's funny.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It ended up being funnier that way!

Huffington Post

It's even funnier that way.

Huffington Post

Think how much funnier that would be.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "funny that" to express a mild sense of irony or amusement when something unexpected happens.

Common error

Avoid using "funny that" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your expressions to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "funny that" functions as an interjection or a sentence adverbial, expressing a speaker's reaction to a situation or statement. Ludwig shows its flexibility in adding a tone of surprise or ironic amusement, as shown in the examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "funny that" is a commonly used expression to convey a sense of irony, surprise, or mild amusement. As validated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, it's best to avoid overusing it and consider more formal alternatives, such as "it's ironic that", in professional or academic writing. The phrase's frequency and expert rating indicate its solid standing in contemporary English usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weird that

Replaces "funny" with "weird", focusing on the odd or unusual nature of the situation.

strange that

Substitutes "funny" with "strange", highlighting the peculiar aspect.

odd that

Uses "odd" instead of "funny", emphasizing the unconventional nature.

curious that

Employs "curious" to suggest a sense of inquiry or mild surprise.

ironic that

Directly points out the irony of the situation, differing slightly from the subtle implication of "funny".

coincidental that

Highlights the coincidental nature, where "funny" might imply something more than just chance.

unusual that

Focuses on the deviation from the norm, replacing the humorous aspect.

it's a surprise that

Shifts the emphasis to express surprise, rather than mild amusement.

unexpected that

Directly states the lack of anticipation, losing the subtle humor.

remarkable that

Uses "remarkable" highlighting an aspect that's noteworthy but no necessarily funny.

FAQs

How can I use "funny that" in a sentence?

You can use "funny that" to express irony or mild amusement about an unexpected situation. For example, "Funny that you mention that, I was just thinking the same thing".

What's a more formal alternative to "funny that"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "it's "ironic that"" or "it's "curious that"" to convey a similar meaning with greater formality.

Is it ever incorrect to use "funny that"?

While generally acceptable, "funny that" might be too informal for academic or professional writing. Choose more precise or formal language depending on your audience and purpose.

What's the difference between "funny that" and "strange that"?

"Funny that" implies a mild amusement or irony, while "strange that" emphasizes the unusual or peculiar nature of the situation without necessarily implying amusement.