it is rather bizarre

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is rather bizarre" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is strange or unusual in a somewhat formal or literary context. Example: "The plot twist in the novel was so unexpected that it is rather bizarre."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And so it is rather bizarre that the first widespread change in how people spell English words appears to have come from a group of (largely) young people sending text messages to one another with cellular phones and other electronic devices.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"At one point I remember thinking it was rather bizarre that I had started moving backwards up the hill," Ms. Trump said.

The New York Times

He added: "It's rather bizarre.

BBC

"It's rather bizarre," Hembery added: "We're only doing what we've done for the last two years and we don't understand why you're [the press] so excited.

BBC

"It was rather bizarre," said Granit, who was recently signed by Arsenal after captaining Borussia Monchengladbach to fourth place in the Bundesliga last season. .

Los Angeles Times

For other big events, it might not be so surprising that homeless folks get cleared out, but this security measure is rather bizarre given Pope Francis's focus on helping poor and homeless people throughout his public life.

Vice

Which is rather bizarre.

The New York Times

Certainly the extraordinary focus on fertility is rather bizarre.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some may think that switching careers from an environmental meteorologist to novelist is rather bizarre.

The Guardian

A spokeswoman for London Transport went so far as to describe the company headquarters as "packed", which is rather bizarre for August.

The Guardian

And, this is rather bizarre.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is rather bizarre" when you want to express a sense of mild surprise or amusement at something that deviates from the norm, especially in slightly formal contexts. For instance, “The fact that no one noticed the error for so long; it is rather bizarre.”

Common error

Avoid using "it is rather bizarre" in very informal settings or casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for alternatives like "it's kind of weird" or "it's pretty strange" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is rather bizarre" functions as a statement expressing an observation or opinion about something considered strange, unusual, or unexpected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable expression in written English. The examples show it used to describe surprising or peculiar situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is rather bizarre" is a phrase used to express mild surprise or amusement at something strange or unusual. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it is more formal than casual alternatives. While versatile, it should be used thoughtfully to ensure it aligns with the overall tone of the writing. Alternatives like "it's quite odd" or "it's somewhat strange" can be employed for different levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's quite odd

Replaces "rather bizarre" with "quite odd", softening the tone slightly.

it's somewhat strange

Uses "somewhat strange" to convey a similar sense of mild surprise or bewilderment.

it's a bit peculiar

Employs "a bit peculiar" to suggest something is slightly unusual or eccentric.

it's fairly unusual

Substitutes "rather bizarre" with "fairly unusual", emphasizing the uncommon nature of the subject.

it's kind of weird

Replaces with the more informal "kind of weird", suitable for casual contexts.

it's pretty strange

Uses "pretty strange" for a more emphatic yet still casual expression of bizarreness.

that's quite curious

Shifts the focus to curiosity rather than strangeness, implying interest in the unusual nature of the subject.

that's rather peculiar

Replaces "it is" with "that's", maintaining a similar level of formality while emphasizing the peculiarity.

it strikes me as odd

Expresses the speaker's personal perception of something being odd or strange.

it seems quite out of the ordinary

Emphasizes the departure from the norm or usual expectations.

FAQs

How can I use "it is rather bizarre" in a sentence?

Use "it is rather bizarre" to express mild surprise or bemusement at something unusual. For example, "It is rather bizarre that the cat only eats tuna."

What are some alternatives to "it is rather bizarre"?

You can use alternatives like "it is quite odd", "it is somewhat strange", or "it's a bit peculiar" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "it is rather bizarre"?

It's appropriate in contexts where you want to express surprise or amusement with a touch of formality. It is commonly used in news articles, opinion pieces, and other forms of media writing.

Is "it is rather bizarre" formal or informal?

It leans towards the formal side due to the use of "rather" and the complete phrase "it is". In informal settings, alternatives like "it's pretty strange" might be more suitable.