it was strange

USAGE SUMMARY

'it was strange' is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation or experience that you thought was unusual or unexpected. For example: "I opened the door and found a crowd of people in my living room - it was strange!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

It was strange.

Cornell University

It was strange but interesting.

The New Yorker

"It was strange, bizarre.

The New York Times - Sports

It was strange to leave.

The Guardian - Tech

It was strange, yet reassuring.

The Guardian - Books

It was strange, meeting those women.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

And it is strange.

The New York Times - Arts

It's strange".

The New York Times

"It is strange.

The New York Times - Sports

"Will it be strange?

Independent

So it's strange".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was strange" to introduce an observation that deviates from the expected norm, prompting further explanation or reflection. This phrase is effective for setting a tone of curiosity or mild surprise.

Common error

Avoid using "it was strange" as a standalone statement without providing specific details or context about what made the situation strange. Instead, follow up with an explanation to give the statement more impact and meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was strange" functions as an evaluative statement. It expresses a subjective assessment of a situation or event as being out of the ordinary or unexpected. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is a common and acceptable construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was strange" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey a sense of surprise, curiosity, or mild concern about something unusual. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase adheres to standard grammatical rules and appears frequently across various authoritative sources, particularly in news and media. The analysis reveals that while grammatically straightforward, the impact of the phrase relies heavily on the context and the details that follow. When using "it was strange", clarity and specificity are key to effectively communicating the nature of the oddity. Related phrases like "it felt odd" or "it seemed peculiar" offer subtle variations in tone and emphasis, allowing writers to fine-tune their expression to suit the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it felt odd

Changes the verb to 'felt' emphasizing the subjective feeling of oddness.

it seemed peculiar

Replaces "strange" with "peculiar", suggesting a slightly more formal and subtle deviation from the norm.

it struck me as odd

Adds a personal perspective, indicating the speaker's surprise or assessment of the situation.

it was unusual

Substitutes "strange" with "unusual", indicating something uncommon but not necessarily negative.

it was a weird experience

Emphasizes the experiential aspect, highlighting the personal and potentially unsettling nature of the event.

it was an anomaly

Presents the situation as an exception or deviation from the expected pattern.

it defied explanation

Indicates the situation was incomprehensible or lacked a rational explanation.

it was baffling

Replaces "strange" with "baffling", highlighting the confusing or perplexing nature of the event.

it was beyond comprehension

Emphasizes the speaker's inability to understand or make sense of the situation.

it was nothing like I expected

Highlights the contrast between expectation and reality, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "it was strange" in a sentence?

You can use "it was strange" to describe something that felt unusual or unexpected. For example, "It was strange to see him wearing a suit to the beach".

What are some alternatives to "it was strange"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it felt odd", "it seemed peculiar", or "it was unusual", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was strange" formal or informal?

"It was strange" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional writing.

How does "it was strange" differ from "it was weird"?

While both phrases indicate something out of the ordinary, "it was strange" typically conveys a sense of mild surprise or curiosity, whereas "it was weird" often suggests something unsettling or bizarre. Consider the context when choosing between the two.