seems strange

USAGE SUMMARY

"seems strange" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is unusual or does not fit expectations. Example sentence: The dog's behavior seems strange; she used to love going for walks, but now she refuses to leave the house.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This seems strange.

The New York Times - Style

That seems strange to me".

The New York Times

That seems strange at first.

The New York Times - Arts

But it seems strange.

The Guardian - Opinion

That seems strange".

The Guardian - Music

"This just seems strange.

The New York Times

It seems strange that it should happen".

Independent

This seems strange to me.

The New York Times

"It seems strange," he honked.

The Guardian - Sport

It suddenly seems strange and daring.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"This must seem strange.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seems strange" when you want to express that something is unusual or unexpected based on your observation or understanding. It indicates a degree of surprise or questioning.

Common error

While "seems strange" is perfectly acceptable, avoid relying on it excessively in formal contexts. Opt for more precise and nuanced language to convey the specific nature of the oddity or deviation. For example, instead of stating "The results seem strange", try "The results deviate significantly from the expected values".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems strange" functions as a linking verb construction. 'Seems' connects the subject to the adjective 'strange', which describes a quality or characteristic of the subject. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is commonly used to express that something appears unusual or unexpected.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seems strange" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that serves to express the perception of something being unusual or unexpected. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While perfectly acceptable in many situations, more formal writing might benefit from more specific vocabulary, as noted in the writing guidance. Related phrases offer alternatives to enhance writing style, and understanding typical usage patterns helps ensure effective communication. Using Ludwig’s example sentences will help you avoid overusing the phrase and find better alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears odd

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "strange" with "odd", slightly altering the tone.

is somewhat peculiar

Adds a degree of understatement while maintaining the core meaning.

strikes as unusual

Uses a more active construction, focusing on the impression something gives.

is rather unusual

Substitutes "strange" with "unusual" and introduces "rather" to soften the statement.

comes across as peculiar

Emphasizes the perception of something being unusual or eccentric.

registers as odd

Implies a more formal or detached observation of something being strange.

feels off

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

looks suspicious

Focuses on visual appearance and implies potential wrongdoing or deception.

sounds dubious

Relates to auditory perception and suggests uncertainty or doubt.

smells fishy

An idiomatic expression indicating something is suspicious or not quite right.

FAQs

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

The phrase "seems strange" is used to express that something appears unusual or unexpected. For example, "It "seems strange" that he hasn't called yet" or "Her reaction "seems strange", considering the circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "seems strange"?

Instead of "seems strange", you can use phrases like "appears odd", "strikes as unusual", or "is somewhat peculiar" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "seems strange" in formal writing?

While "seems strange" is grammatically correct, it might be perceived as too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using more precise and nuanced language to express the specific nature of the observation. Alternatives like "appears unlikely" or "is unexpected" may be more suitable.

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

"Seems strange" implies a degree of uncertainty or subjective perception, suggesting that something appears unusual to the speaker but may not necessarily be objectively strange. "Is strange" is a more direct statement of fact, asserting that something is objectively unusual or odd.