seem strange

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'seem strange' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express that an event, idea, or occurrence appears to be odd or unusual. For example, "She had an odd reaction to the news; it seemed strange."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

"This must seem strange.

The New Yorker

"Does it seem strange?

The New Yorker

This might seem strange.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our curries may seem strange".

The New York Times - Food

This may seem strange.

The New York Times

It will seem strange.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

That's right, but that seems strange!

BBC

Everything seemed strange.

The New York Times

That seemed strange.

The New York Times

This seems strange.

The New York Times - Style

That seems strange to me".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seem strange" to express a subjective feeling or initial impression about something that deviates from the norm. It implies a degree of uncertainty or observation, rather than a definitive judgment.

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "seem strange" in academic or formal contexts where more precise and nuanced language is expected. Instead of saying "The results seem strange", consider specifying why the results are unexpected or unusual (e.g., "The results deviate significantly from established findings").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem strange" functions as a subjective descriptor, indicating that something gives an impression of being unusual or odd. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The examples show it used to describe situations, behaviors, or ideas that deviate from expectations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

13%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seem strange" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for conveying that something appears unusual or odd. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse sources. While generally suitable for neutral communication, as supported by its prevalence in news and media, more precise language might be preferred in formal or academic writing to articulate why something "seems strange". Alternatives like "appear odd" or "strike as peculiar" offer subtle variations in meaning and tone, providing writers with a range of options to express their perceptions of oddity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear odd

Replaces "seem" with "appear" and "strange" with "odd", slightly altering the tone while retaining the core meaning.

strike as peculiar

Uses a different verb ("strike") and adjective ("peculiar") to convey a similar sense of something being unusual or noticeable.

come across as unusual

Employs the phrasal verb "come across" and the adjective "unusual" to indicate that something gives an impression of being atypical.

feel out of place

Shifts the focus to a sense of incongruity or not belonging, rather than simply being odd.

appear incongruous

Replaces "seem" with "appear" and "strange" with a more formal adjective, "incongruous", suggesting a lack of harmony or compatibility.

look suspicious

Changes the connotation to suggest potential distrust or concern, rather than just simple strangeness.

raise eyebrows

An idiomatic expression indicating that something causes surprise or disapproval.

beggar belief

Conveys a sense of incredulity or being difficult to believe, rather than simply seeming odd.

defy explanation

Suggests that something is not only strange but also impossible to understand or justify.

smack of artifice

Implies that something appears artificial or contrived, rather than naturally strange.

FAQs

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

You can use "seem strange" to describe something that appears odd or unusual to you. For example, "It "seems strange" that he hasn't called yet" or "Her reaction "seemed strange" given the circumstances".

What can I say instead of "seem strange"?

You can use alternatives like "appear odd", "strike as peculiar", or "come across as unusual" depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "seem strange"?

While grammatically correct, "seem strange" might be too vague for formal writing. In such cases, consider specifying why something seems strange, using more precise language.

What's the difference between "seem strange" and "look strange"?

"Seem strange" implies an impression or feeling of oddness, while "look strange" suggests that something appears visually unusual or peculiar. The former is more about a general sense, and the latter is more about visual appearance.