is pretty strange

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is pretty strange" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is unusual or odd in a casual or informal context. Example: "The way he reacted to the news is pretty strange; I expected him to be more upset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

After all, American sculpture is pretty strange stuff.

The New York Times - Arts

That is pretty strange for a company that once produced a show called Ipi Zombi.

The Guardian

With Senor Coconut, the truth is stranger than the fiction, which is pretty strange itself.

The New York Times - Arts

The relative moderates, who want to secede peacefully, admit they are losing influence to advocates of violence.The politics of Kosovo, Serbia's poorest corner, is pretty strange.

The Economist

Dreaming of myself as a toasted sandwich is pretty strange, I thought, half asleep, watching the flat silver spatula descending to press me to the grill.

The New York Times - Travel

There's over a million cases a year [in the Russian judicial system] and the rate of acquittal is under 1% – the statistic is pretty strange".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"That was pretty strange.

The New York Times - Food

It's been pretty strange for me.

The New Yorker

He added, "It's pretty strange.

The New Yorker

"That's pretty strange," he said.

The New Yorker

"That would be pretty strange," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is pretty strange", consider the audience and context to ensure the level of formality is appropriate. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "is quite peculiar" or "is rather unusual".

Common error

Avoid using "is pretty strange" in formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for more sophisticated and precise language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is pretty strange" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, attributing a quality of oddness or unusualness to a subject. Ludwig examples confirm its role in expressing subjective assessments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is pretty strange" is a common and acceptable way to describe something as odd or unusual, particularly in News & Media contexts. While grammatically correct, it leans towards informality and should be used judiciously in formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms that it is used to express a degree of surprise or curiosity. When a more formal or emphatic tone is needed, alternatives like "is quite peculiar" or "is very strange" are recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is rather odd

Replaces "pretty" with "rather", indicating a slightly more formal tone.

is quite peculiar

Substitutes "strange" with "peculiar", suggesting something unusual and distinctive.

is somewhat bizarre

Replaces "strange" with "bizarre", implying something strikingly odd or unconventional.

is fairly unusual

Uses "unusual" instead of "strange", conveying a sense of not being common or typical.

is a bit weird

Employs "weird" for "strange", offering a more casual and informal alternative.

is distinctly odd

Emphasizes the oddness with "distinctly", highlighting the noticeable strangeness.

is notably peculiar

Similar to "distinctly odd" but uses "notably" and "peculiar" for emphasis and variation.

is strikingly atypical

Replaces "strange" with "atypical", suggesting a departure from the norm.

is rather unconventional

Uses "unconventional" instead of "strange", highlighting the lack of conformity to accepted norms.

is passing strange

Uses the idiom "passing strange" as a more colourful way to describe something that's strange or unusual

FAQs

How can I use "is pretty strange" in a sentence?

You can use "is pretty strange" to describe something unusual or odd. For example, "His behavior at the party "is pretty strange"; he usually isn't so quiet."

What can I say instead of "is pretty strange"?

You can use alternatives like "is rather odd", "is quite peculiar", or "is somewhat bizarre" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is pretty strange" or "is very strange"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "is very strange" might be slightly more emphatic. "Is pretty strange" implies a moderate level of strangeness, while "is very strange" suggests a higher degree.

What's the difference between "is pretty strange" and "is strangely pretty"?

"Is pretty strange" describes something that is odd, while "is strangely pretty" describes something that is beautiful in an unusual or unexpected way. The word order changes the meaning significantly.