it seems unusual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems unusual" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used in a variety of situations to express that something appears to be out of the ordinary or unexpected. Example 1: "The teacher's absence on a Monday seemed unusual, as she was always at school on time." Example 2: "It seems unusual that the flowers in my garden are blooming so early this year." Example 3: "The dog's behavior seemed unusual to me, as it usually loves going for walks but today it refused to leave the house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

It seems unusual to breathe now".

The New York Times

My reaction to the Malaysian story is not, it seems, unusual.

Independent

It seems unusual that a culture that eagerly absorbs all things American rejects the inherent independence that comes along with them.

The New York Times

Though it seems unusual to munch on an apple at a Yankees game, the team and the fruit have something of a history.

The New York Times

Although it seems unusual, the protest in Stafford is just one of many that have taken place around the country, as anger grows in the dairy farming community over the decreasing prices that farmers are paid for their milk.

Independent

It's easy to envision that Larry, in the same situation on an episode of "Curb Your Enthusiasm," would also say something along the lines of Jonathan's remark: "It seems unusual, you know, to have Jewish movers, right?

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

It seemed unusual, and it was.

The New York Times

Best, Jeffries Dear Stuart, It seemed unusual, and also natural, to show them unfinished.

The Guardian

Rogers approached the meeting with caution: it seemed unusual for a crucial witness to emerge five years after the indictment.

The New Yorker

I told Stewart that it seemed unusual for a bank to anticipate a customer's need for a loan — and to fill out all the paperwork in advance.

The New Yorker

HOME RUN DERBY If it seemed unusual that the Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles combined for nine home runs through the first five innings Tuesday, it was.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it seems unusual", provide context or explanation for why something appears out of the ordinary to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it seems unusual" without explaining why you find something atypical; otherwise, your statement may lack impact or leave the reader wondering about your reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems unusual" functions as an evaluative expression, primarily used to express a subjective observation or judgment about something deviating from what is considered normal or expected. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it seems unusual" is a versatile expression used to denote something that deviates from the norm. Ludwig AI confirms it's correctness and frequent use. The analysis reveals its common presence in diverse contexts like News & Media and Science. It serves to express surprise or a call for further investigation into the atypical. When employing this phrase, providing context is crucial to enhance clarity. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it's important to avoid overuse without providing sufficient justification. Alternatives such as "it seems atypical" and "it seems odd" can add subtle shades of meaning. As such, "it seems unusual" functions as an effective tool for drawing attention to anomalies and prompting deeper understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems atypical

Focuses on the deviation from a typical pattern or norm.

it seems uncommon

Highlights the infrequency or rarity of something.

it seems rare

Emphasizes the scarcity or limited occurrence of the situation.

it seems odd

Indicates a sense of strangeness or peculiarity.

it seems strange

Suggests a deviation from what is considered normal or familiar.

it seems peculiar

Highlights the distinctiveness or uniqueness of the situation.

it seems remarkable

Emphasizes the noteworthiness or exceptional nature of the event.

it seems exceptional

Stresses the high quality or outstanding character of something.

it seems extraordinary

Implies something is beyond what is ordinary or usual.

it seems unexpected

Highlights that something was not anticipated or predicted.

FAQs

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

Use "it seems unusual" to express that something appears to be out of the ordinary. For example, "It seems unusual that he hasn't called, as he always calls every day".

What can I say instead of "it seems unusual"?

You can use alternatives like "it seems atypical", "it seems rare", or "it seems odd" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "it seems unusual" or "it is unusual"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "it seems unusual" implies a subjective observation or initial impression, whereas "it is unusual" states a more objective fact.

What's the difference between "it seems unusual" and "it might seem unusual"?

"It seems unusual" suggests that something currently appears out of the ordinary to you, while "it might seem unusual" introduces a degree of possibility or speculation, suggesting it may appear unusual to someone, but not necessarily to you.