how strange

USAGE SUMMARY

"how strange" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used as an exclamation to express surprise, confusion, or disapproval. For example: "The sky was the color of orange - how strange!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How strange.

The New York Times

How strange the contrast.

The New Yorker

How fierce, how strange!

The New York Times

But how strange.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

How strange life is.

The Guardian

How strange life is in America!

The New Yorker

How strange was the call?

The Guardian - Sport

How strange would that be?

The New York Times

How strange, how very strange!

The New Yorker

How strange the past seems.

The Guardian - Arts

Think about how strange that is, right?

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how strange" to express a sense of bewilderment or mild shock when encountering something unexpected or out of the ordinary. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While acceptable, consider alternatives like "how unusual" or "how peculiar" in formal contexts to maintain a sophisticated tone. Overusing "how strange" can sound repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how strange" functions as an exclamatory expression, typically used to convey surprise, disbelief, or a sense of wonder regarding something unusual or unexpected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how strange" serves as a versatile exclamatory phrase employed to express surprise, curiosity, or disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts, although its register leans toward neutral to slightly informal. With a high frequency of usage, particularly in News & Media and Academia, it's essential to consider the subtle nuances of formality when employing this expression. Alternatives such as "how unusual", "how odd", or "how peculiar" can offer greater sophistication in formal writing. Ultimately, mastering the art of conveying bewilderment or surprise hinges on choosing the expression that best suits the specific context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

How unusual

Replaces "strange" with "unusual", focusing on the deviation from the norm.

How odd

Substitutes "strange" with "odd", emphasizing the peculiarity of the situation.

How peculiar

Uses "peculiar" instead of "strange", highlighting the distinctiveness or eccentricity.

How curious

Replaces "strange" with "curious", suggesting an element of intrigue or questioning.

How astonishing

Uses "astonishing" to convey a stronger sense of surprise or amazement.

How surprising

Replaces "strange" with "surprising", focusing on the unexpected nature of the event.

How remarkable

Substitutes "strange" with "remarkable", emphasizing the noteworthy or exceptional quality.

How bizarre

Uses "bizarre" instead of "strange", conveying a sense of something outlandish or grotesque.

How mysterious

Replaces "strange" with "mysterious", highlighting the enigmatic or inexplicable nature.

How alien

Substitutes "strange" with "alien", emphasizing a sense of foreignness or unfamiliarity.

FAQs

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

You can use "how strange" to express surprise or disbelief, like in the sentence, "How strange the past seems, considering all that has changed."

What are some alternatives to "how strange"?

Alternatives include "how odd", "how unusual", or "how peculiar", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "how strange" formal or informal?

"How strange" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, consider more sophisticated alternatives.

What does "how strange" imply?

"How strange" implies a sense of surprise, bewilderment, or mild shock at something unexpected or unusual. It suggests that the situation deviates from what is considered normal or typical.