mysterious things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mysterious things" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to objects, events, or concepts that are enigmatic or not easily understood. Example: "The old book contained many mysterious things that sparked the curiosity of its readers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

A video screen showed mysteriously costumed people doing mysterious things; the rhythms, decisively underlined by live drumming from Michael Italia, were dreamy processionals or allusions to kinetic trance rituals.

The New York Times - Arts

My mom used to read that to me when I was little, and I always found these beautiful, mysterious things about these tales and picturing that culture, which was absolutely a mystery to me.

Huffington Post

Allergies are mysterious things.

The New York Times

There are mysterious things.

The New York Times

What mysterious things can happen in love.

The New Yorker

It was about darkly mysterious things that happen on a Greek island.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

The placebo effect is a mysterious thing.

Harvard University

"The sea is a mysterious thing.

The Guardian

Collegiality is a fragile and mysterious thing.

The New York Times

And isn't music a mysterious thing?

The Guardian

What is this mysterious thing called self-control?

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, replace "mysterious things" with more specific terms that capture the exact nature of the mystery, such as "unexplained phenomena" or "enigmatic occurrences".

Common error

Avoid using "mysterious things" in highly formal or scientific writing; opt for more precise and technical language to maintain a professional tone. For instance, use "unexplained anomalies" instead of "mysterious things".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mysterious things" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "mysterious" acts as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "things". It refers to entities or concepts that are unknown, puzzling, or difficult to understand. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

20%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mysterious things" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe objects, events, or concepts that are not easily understood. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly found in news, media, and academic contexts, the phrase serves to evoke curiosity and highlight the enigmatic nature of a subject. While versatile, more specific terms may be preferred in formal or scientific writing to enhance precision. Alternatives like "enigmatic occurrences" or "unexplained phenomena" can offer nuanced meanings depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enigmatic occurrences

Replaces "things" with "occurrences", emphasizing events rather than objects, and "mysterious" with "enigmatic", suggesting a deeper level of puzzlement.

unexplained phenomena

Substitutes "mysterious" with "unexplained", highlighting the lack of understanding, and "things" with "phenomena", referring to observable events or facts.

puzzling matters

Replaces "mysterious" with "puzzling", focusing on the confusion caused, and "things" with "matters", indicating subjects of concern or discussion.

strange happenings

Uses "strange" instead of "mysterious", connoting oddity, and "happenings" instead of "things", emphasizing events.

unfathomable events

Employs "unfathomable" instead of "mysterious", stressing the impossibility of understanding, and "events" instead of "things", highlighting occurrences.

arcane secrets

Substitutes "mysterious" with "arcane", implying hidden knowledge, and "things" with "secrets", emphasizing the concealed nature.

inexplicable incidents

Replaces "mysterious" with "inexplicable", focusing on the absence of explanation, and "things" with "incidents", referring to specific events.

obscure circumstances

Uses "obscure" instead of "mysterious", indicating a lack of clarity, and "circumstances" instead of "things", highlighting surrounding conditions.

veiled realities

Substitutes "mysterious" with "veiled", suggesting something hidden from view, and "things" with "realities", emphasizing actual existence.

occult practices

Replaces "mysterious" with "occult", implying supernatural or magical elements, and "things" with "practices", focusing on actions or rituals.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "mysterious things"?

Alternatives include "enigmatic occurrences", "unexplained phenomena", and "puzzling matters". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

How can I make my writing sound more specific than just saying "mysterious things"?

Instead of "mysterious things", try to identify the specific aspect of the mystery you want to emphasize. For example, are they "unsolved riddles", "hidden secrets", or "unexplained events"?

Is it appropriate to use "mysterious things" in academic writing?

While "mysterious things" is grammatically correct, it may be too informal for academic writing. Consider using more precise and formal alternatives like "unresolved questions" or "unexplained phenomena".

What's the difference between "mysterious things" and "magical things"?

"Mysterious things" suggests something is unknown or difficult to understand, while "magical things" implies the involvement of supernatural forces or enchantment. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the unknown or the supernatural.