looks strange

USAGE SUMMARY

"looks strange" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that seems unusual or out of the ordinary. For example, "The sky looks strange tonight; it's pink and orange instead of dark blue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Her face looks strange.

The Guardian

Looks strange from today's perspective".

The Guardian - Sport

It certainly looks strange, right from the off.

Independent

"Now it looks strange if you show up in jeans".

The New York Times

Another address, especially one that looks strange, should raise suspicions.

The Guardian - Tech

The contingency we have not considered seriously looks strange; what looks strange is thought improbable; what is improbable need not be considered seriously".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

He looked strange.

The New York Times - Sports

They look strange, and tragic.

The New York Times

That would look strange.

The Guardian - Opinion

"If they look strange, you stay away".

The New York Times

"It looked strange to me".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looks strange" to describe something that deviates from the norm or expectation, prompting further investigation or explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "looks strange" without providing specific details about what makes it strange. Providing context enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks strange" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It serves to attribute a quality of unusualness or oddity to the subject it modifies, indicating that something appears different from what is expected.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looks strange" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to describe something that appears unusual or out of the ordinary. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is prevalent in News & Media and Wiki content, suitable for various registers, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic writing. When using "looks strange", provide specific details to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears odd

Replaces "looks" with "appears" and "strange" with "odd", maintaining a similar meaning.

seems peculiar

Substitutes "looks" with "seems" and "strange" with "peculiar", indicating something is unusual or questionable.

appears unusual

Uses "appears" instead of "looks" and "unusual" for "strange", conveying a similar sense of something not being typical.

seems out of place

Indicates that something doesn't fit or belong, similar to appearing strange.

appears abnormal

Replaces "strange" with "abnormal", suggesting something deviates from the norm.

seems off

A more informal way of saying something seems wrong or strange.

appears bizarre

Substitutes "strange" with "bizarre", emphasizing something is highly unusual and unexpected.

seems atypical

Highlights that something is not typical or representative, similar to being strange.

appears anomalous

Indicates something is inconsistent or doesn't fit the pattern, similar to looking strange.

seems queer

An older and somewhat less common way to describe something as strange or odd.

FAQs

How can I use "looks strange" in a sentence?

You can use "looks strange" to describe something that appears unusual or out of the ordinary. For instance, "The sky "looks strange" today with its unusual colors."

What are some alternatives to saying "looks strange"?

Alternatives include "appears odd", "seems peculiar", or "appears unusual", depending on the context.

Is "looks strange" formal or informal?

"Looks strange" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic writing.

What's the difference between "looks strange" and "seems strange"?

While both convey a sense of something being unusual, "looks strange" emphasizes visual appearance, whereas "seems strange" can refer to a broader sense of something being odd or peculiar based on various observations or information.