in strange forms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in strange forms" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appears in unusual or unexpected shapes or configurations. Example: "The artist's latest exhibition features sculptures that are presented in strange forms, challenging traditional perceptions of art."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But victories come in strange forms in the floundering war on drugs.

The Guardian

Progress arrives in strange forms.

The New Yorker

By Emily Nussbaum Progress arrives in strange forms.

The New Yorker

Three teen ballerinas stared straight into the… From "I Love Lucy" onward, sitcoms have been stages for brilliant comics to act like losers: they play someone by the same name, but less… Progress arrives in strange forms.

The New Yorker

Similarly anything non-solid (big, flowing tresses of hair) or clothing that conceals spaces hidden from the camera – skirts or high heels – can result in strange forms and growths.

The Guardian - Tech

Attempts at drama in Islam come from these more popular spheres in Iran (and, rarely, in Lebanon and Iraq), where the tragic events of the murder of Ḥusayn (680) at Karbalāʾ were dramatized in strange forms, using the vocabulary of traditional Persian poetry and theology.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A succession of acquiescent cripples exclaims in rapture on the strange forms in which it has pleased heaven to shape them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A strong case can also be made that black powder was discovered by the English medieval scholar Roger Bacon, who wrote explicit instructions for its preparation in 1242, in the strange form of a Latin anagram, difficult to decipher.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He writes in his notes about exploring a mountain cave where he found massive fossil bones, and reveals that he was famous for this interest in rocks and strange forms hidden within them: one day, he says, when he was living in Milan, some peasants brought him a sack full of seashells they had found in the mountains.

The Guardian - Arts

The nature and legal status of data in its many strange forms is a process we likely will never be done with.

TechCrunch

One in which our two major political parties indulge, in Jonathan Freedland's poignant phrase, in a strange form of cross-dressing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in strange forms" to describe entities or concepts that manifest in unexpected or unconventional ways, adding intrigue or emphasis to their unusual nature.

Common error

Avoid using "in strange forms" when simply describing something unfamiliar; reserve it for situations where the form itself is inherently unusual or unexpected, not just unknown to the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in strange forms" functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a verb or noun to describe the manner or appearance in which something exists or occurs. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

37%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in strange forms" serves to describe the unusual or unexpected manner in which something manifests. Grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig, it often acts as a prepositional phrase, modifying nouns or verbs to emphasize the oddity of a particular appearance or presentation. Though not overly common, this phrase finds utility across various contexts, predominantly within news and media, encyclopedias, and academic spheres. To ensure precise usage, reserve it for situations where the form itself is intrinsically peculiar, rather than merely unfamiliar.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in unusual shapes

Focuses specifically on the altered physical appearance rather than the general strangeness.

in peculiar guises

Emphasizes the misleading or deceptive nature of the forms.

in bizarre configurations

Highlights the odd arrangement or structure of the forms.

in distorted shapes

Suggests that the forms are twisted or deformed from their original state.

in altered states

Focuses on the changed condition or nature of something, not necessarily its physical form.

in transformed appearances

Highlights a complete change in outward presentation.

in novel embodiments

Emphasizes the new or original way something is expressed or represented.

in atypical manifestations

Highlights the irregularity of something being expressed.

in unorthodox designs

Focuses on the unconventional nature of the designs.

in aberrant patterns

Highlights the deviation from the norm in terms of patterns.

FAQs

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

You can use "in strange forms" to describe something that appears in unusual or unexpected shapes or configurations. For example, "The data appeared "in strange forms", making it difficult to interpret".

What can I say instead of "in strange forms"?

You can use alternatives like "in unusual shapes", "in peculiar guises", or "in bizarre configurations" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "in strange forms" or "in strange shape"?

"In strange forms" is used to describe multiple instances or variations, while "in a strange shape" describes a singular instance. The choice depends on whether you're referring to one or more unusual shapes.

What's the difference between "in strange forms" and "in unusual ways"?

"In strange forms" typically refers to physical or visual manifestations, while "in unusual ways" refers to methods or processes that are unconventional. The best choice depends on whether you're describing appearance or behavior.