it is rather odd

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is rather odd" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is unusual or unexpected in a particular context. Example: "I found it rather odd that no one showed up to the meeting, despite the importance of the agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

With its strange, rough stone and concrete sort-of-Mayan decoration, it is rather odd, and well worth seeing.

Huffington Post

"It is rather odd," he says.

The Guardian - Music

Or: "It is rather odd that I can't read two pages of Thackeray without yawning, when my humour is supposed to resemble his".

The New Yorker

Paul Johnson, the director of the IFS, told The World This Weekend on BBC Radio 4: "It is rather odd to give this special treatment to housing given that owner-occupied housing is already extremely tax privileged.

The Guardian

In short it is rather odd that almost the whole world, and especially the cities where so many people spend their days, have not yet found a way to incorporate napping into the culture.

The Guardian

"For me, it is rather odd that he should remain under house arrest because it is 10 years since the Soviet Union ceased to exist," she said from Paris, where she now lives.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

For all the galácticos on show, it's rather odd to hear Tony Gale describing the action.

The Guardian - Sport

So it's rather odd, in person, to hear him speaking with clipped vowels more reminiscent of Laurence Olivier than Vicky Pollard.

Independent

But, Mr. Davis said, it was "rather odd that they would pursue a lawsuit that would slow down cleanup".

The New York Times

It's rather odd to see a subsidiary company like Tinder participate in a funding round, rather than acquiring the company outright or adding it to the Match Group portfolio.

TechCrunch

Still, it's rather odd that, when Labour's own plans imply that it could spend £43bn more a year at the end of the parliament, that the Conservatives have focused their efforts on a slightly dubious £23bn at the start.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is rather odd" to politely express mild surprise or disagreement without being overly critical.

Common error

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "it is somewhat peculiar" or "it is rather unusual" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is rather odd" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a subjective assessment of something as unusual or unexpected. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts to convey a mild degree of surprise or bemusement. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is rather odd" serves as a versatile tool for expressing mild surprise or disagreement in a variety of contexts. It is grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, and is commonly used in news media and other writing. While not strictly formal, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse audiences. Understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate register allows for effective communication, avoiding potential misinterpretations or stylistic inconsistencies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is quite strange

Changes "rather odd" to "quite strange", emphasizing the unusual nature more directly.

it is somewhat peculiar

Substitutes "rather odd" with "somewhat peculiar", softening the emphasis on the unusual nature.

it is a bit unusual

Replaces "rather odd" with "a bit unusual", making the statement less formal.

it strikes me as odd

Shifts the focus to a personal perspective using "strikes me as odd".

it seems somewhat strange

Employs "seems somewhat strange" to introduce a degree of uncertainty.

it's a little weird

Uses "a little weird" for a more informal and colloquial tone.

it is rather curious

Replaces "odd" with "curious", suggesting intrigue more than strangeness.

that's rather strange

Changes the focus to "that's" instead of "it is", providing a slightly different emphasis.

it is slightly bizarre

Substitutes "rather odd" with "slightly bizarre", increasing the intensity of the unusual nature.

it is somewhat unexpected

Replaces "odd" with "unexpected", highlighting the surprise element.

FAQs

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

You can use "it is rather odd" to express mild surprise or bemusement about something. For example, "It is rather odd that no one RSVP'd to the party."

What can I say instead of "it is rather odd"?

You can use alternatives like "it is quite strange", "it is somewhat peculiar", or "it is a bit unusual" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "it is rather odd" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it is rather odd" might be perceived as too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using alternatives like "it is somewhat unexpected" or "it is rather unusual".

What's the difference between "it is rather odd" and "it is very odd"?

"It is rather odd" suggests a mild level of surprise, whereas "it is very odd" indicates a stronger sense of strangeness or surprise. The degree of emphasis differs.