is rather strange

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The piece is rather strange.

University of California, Berkeley

That post-punk resisted scholarship is rather strange.

The Guardian

It is rather strange that the classical mythological tradition neglects this characteristic of centaurs.

The New Yorker

Their operation is rather strange in that the front moonroof doesn't slide; it only tilts.

The New York Times

Okay, okay, you know what, this seems strange because it is rather strange.

The Guardian - Sport

"But when you think about it, telling people that the deceased will become gods is rather strange, isn't it?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Just the overall appearance was rather strange".

The New York Times

There were several reasons this was rather strange.

The New York Times

His concept of that duty was rather strange.

The Guardian

"I thought it was rather strange they stopped running the show.

The New York Times

As for my reading habits, they're rather strange and inexplicable.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is rather strange" to express mild surprise or bemusement when encountering something unexpected or unconventional, without being overly critical or judgmental.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "is rather strange" in your writing. Vary your vocabulary by using alternatives like "unusual", "peculiar", or "odd" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather strange" functions as a commentary expression, used to convey a mild degree of surprise, bemusement, or mild disapproval regarding something unexpected or unconventional. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

25%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is rather strange" serves as a versatile tool to express a mild sense of surprise or peculiarity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, while the analysis reveals its common occurrence in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When writing, it's beneficial to use "is rather strange" sparingly, opting for alternatives such as "is quite odd" or "is somewhat unusual" to maintain variety. Remember that authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase, cementing its place in standard English usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is quite odd

Expresses a similar sentiment with a slightly less formal tone, using "odd" instead of "strange".

is somewhat unusual

Indicates something deviates from the norm, focusing on the unusual aspect rather than strangeness.

is a bit peculiar

Suggests something is slightly strange or eccentric, using "peculiar" for a more nuanced sense of oddity.

is rather peculiar

Maintains a similar level of formality while substituting "strange" with "peculiar".

is distinctly odd

Highlights the oddity of something in a clear and noticeable way.

is quite atypical

Implies something deviates from the typical or expected, focusing on its non-standard nature.

is fairly uncommon

Emphasizes the infrequency or rarity of something, rather than its strangeness.

is a strange thing

Shifts the focus to the nature of something being strange, rather than a direct assessment.

is kind of weird

Presents a more casual and less formal way of expressing that something is strange.

is passing strange

Uses an older, somewhat literary expression to denote something is remarkably or unusually strange.

FAQs

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

You can use "is rather strange" to express that something is unusual or unexpected. For example, "It "is rather strange" that he didn't mention the meeting."

What's a more formal way to say "is rather strange"?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "is somewhat unusual" or "is quite atypical". These phrases maintain a similar meaning while sounding more sophisticated.

What can I say instead of "is rather strange" if I want to sound more casual?

If you want to sound more casual, you could say "is kind of weird" or "is a bit peculiar". Remember to consider your audience and the context.

How does "is rather strange" differ from "is very strange"?

"Is rather strange" expresses a milder degree of surprise or oddity compared to "is very strange". The former suggests a subtle deviation from the norm, while the latter indicates a more significant anomaly.