it seems a bit unusual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems a bit unusual" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something appears to be out of the ordinary or not typical. Example: "The way he responded to the question seems a bit unusual, considering his usual demeanor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It seems a bit unusual to have so many X-ray sources in one area, especially given the overlapping sources at the top.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But strategically, it seems a bit strange.

The Guardian

My approach seems a bit unusual, but it has served me, and children, well.

Vice

Speaking outside Government Buildings yesterday, the taoiseach said: "It does seem a bit unusual, a body of that size, given its operations and the funding it receives.

The Times

It may seem a bit unusual to roast the broad beans in their pods, but do give it a try.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"While it may seem a bit unusual for a health plan to worry about the uninsured," he wrote, access to care at a reasonable price is a "core mission" for the insurer.

The New York Times

It might seem a bit unusual to hear your grandma reminding you (and a packed stadium) that if you're getting laid, use a condom.

Huffington Post

As they happened, many were worthy of exclamation points even if it would seem a bit unusual for the Associated Press to retain them after the fact.

Huffington Post

"It seems a bit barbaric.

Independent

It seems a bit crazy.

Yale University

It seems a bit off, though.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems a bit unusual" when you want to express mild surprise or reservation about something without being overly critical. It's a polite way to point out something that deviates from the norm.

Common error

While acceptable, relying too heavily on "it seems a bit unusual" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing by using alternatives like "it appears somewhat strange" or "it strikes me as odd" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems a bit unusual" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a subjective assessment that something deviates slightly from what is expected or typical. As Ludwig shows, the phrase presents the speaker's impression. It's a hedge, softening the impact of a potentially critical observation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it seems a bit unusual" is a versatile expression used to convey a sense of mild surprise or reservation about something that deviates from the norm. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including news, academia, and general conversation. The phrase functions as an evaluative statement, softening potentially critical observations. While the phrase is a common way to express an opinion, remember to vary your phrasing by using alternatives like "it appears somewhat strange" or "it strikes me as odd" to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears somewhat strange

Replaces "seems a bit unusual" with "appears somewhat strange", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

it seems out of the ordinary

Substitutes "a bit unusual" with "out of the ordinary", keeping a similar meaning and level of formality.

it strikes me as odd

Substitutes "seems a bit unusual" with a more direct expression of something being perceived as strange or unexpected.

it appears to be uncommon

Replaces "seems a bit unusual" with "appears to be uncommon", focusing on the rarity of something.

it comes across as peculiar

Uses "comes across as peculiar" instead of "seems a bit unusual", emphasizing the impression given by something.

it feels rather unconventional

Replaces "seems a bit unusual" with "feels rather unconventional", highlighting a sense of non-conformity.

it looks somewhat unorthodox

Uses "looks somewhat unorthodox" instead of "seems a bit unusual", emphasizing the non-traditional aspect.

it presents itself as atypical

Employs more formal language, replacing "seems a bit unusual" with "presents itself as atypical", suitable for academic or professional contexts.

it smacks of eccentricity

Expresses a stronger sense of something being odd or quirky, compared to the original phrase.

it gives off a weird vibe

Uses a more casual and informal expression, contrasting with the neutral tone of the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "it seems a bit unusual" in a sentence?

You can use "it seems a bit unusual" to express that something appears out of the ordinary or unexpected. For example: "The way he responded to the question "it seems a bit unusual", considering his usual demeanor."

What are some alternatives to "it seems a bit unusual"?

You can use alternatives like "it appears somewhat strange", "it strikes me as odd", or "it comes across as peculiar" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "it seems a bit unusual"?

"It seems a bit unusual" is appropriate when you want to express a mild sense of surprise or reservation about something that deviates from the norm. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "it seems a bit unusual" and "it is very strange"?

"It seems a bit unusual" is a more understated and polite way of expressing that something is out of the ordinary, while "it is very strange" is a more direct and potentially stronger statement. The former is often preferred when you want to be diplomatic.