strange course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strange course" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unusual or unexpected path, direction, or sequence of events in various contexts. Example: "The expedition took a strange course, leading them to uncharted territories that no one had ever seen before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

When the hand was replayed the bidding followed the strange course, shown in the diagram.

The New York Times

Regardless of what now transpires, it was a strange course of events which originally allowed Mr Covington to take up residence at 15145 Pacific Coast Highway, a scenic site close to some of America's priciest pieces of real estate.

Independent

The combination of sabotage from rightwing backbenchers over the Maastricht Treaty, the strange course of Michael Portillo's career and Thatcher's vengeful disloyalty, all this with a small, dwindling majority, made it a difficult time.

The Guardian

As Benson flew from Wisconsin, where he was born, to Georgia, where he was reared, he finally had some time to reflect on the strange course he has charted.

The New York Times - Sports

3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Charlie stands on the fringes of life but learns what it's like to travel that strange course through the uncharted territory of high school.

The Guardian

I am fully persuaded that brother John is taking the strange course he is now pursuing for the purpose of making money out of a rail speculation, and if I could for one moment think that the Decatur sharpers, in whose hands he has placed himself, would not cheat him out of every cent of the money, I would not spoil the speculation by telling the facts.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I have taken some strange courses this semester, but I think they will help me on my path towards enlightenment.

The New York Times

Later, attending some strange leadership course, my leadership abilities were marked approvingly as "double masculine".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's strange, of course, because it's about the previously little-known world of punitive traffic jams.

The New Yorker

He played the part of a calming, Midwestern-inflected mediator, saying, "I feel like I'm, if you put these two guys in a blender.... " It's strange, of course, to watch that clip now, knowing what we know.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is strange, of course, to continue to think in terms of "passing" today, if we now recognise that the one-drop rule, and race at large, are social constructions, and that gender is "between your ears".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional tone. The phrase often carries a slightly negative or questioning connotation, suggesting that the path is not only unusual but potentially problematic or confusing.

Common error

Avoid using "strange course" when a simple 'unusual path' would suffice if the 'strange' aspect is not relevant. Overusing the term can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strange course" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "strange" modifies the noun "course". It describes a path or progression that is unusual or unexpected. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Arts

15%

General

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strange course" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an unusual or unexpected path or progression. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While not extremely common, it effectively conveys a sense of surprise or curiosity. Alternatives like "unusual path", "peculiar route", and "odd trajectory" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Avoid overusing the phrase to maintain its impact and ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unusual path

Replaces 'strange' with 'unusual', emphasizing the uncommon nature of the path.

peculiar route

Substitutes both words to highlight the odd or uncommon nature of the route.

odd trajectory

Uses 'odd' to replace 'strange' and 'trajectory' to replace 'course', focusing on the path's deviation.

unexpected turn

Focuses on a specific instance of deviation from the norm rather than the entire path.

bizarre sequence of events

Shifts the focus to a series of happenings that are highly unusual or inexplicable.

atypical progression

Highlights the non-standard or irregular nature of the development or movement.

deviant pattern

Emphasizes the departure from a normal or expected pattern.

uncharted territory

Highlights a course that is new and unexplored.

serendipitous journey

Emphasizes the accidental nature of the journey.

tortuous path

Replaces 'strange' to describe the difficult and complicated path.

FAQs

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

You can use "strange course" to describe an unusual or unexpected series of events, like: "The investigation took a "strange course", leading to unexpected conclusions."

What are some alternatives to "strange course"?

Some alternatives to "strange course" include "unusual path", "peculiar route", or "odd trajectory", depending on the context.

Is "strange course" a formal or informal expression?

"Strange course" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more commonly found in news articles and narrative writing.

What does it imply when someone says something took a "strange course"?

It implies that the development or progression of something was unexpected, unusual, and perhaps even bewildering or concerning.