strange gaze

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strange gaze" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unusual or unsettling way someone is looking at something or someone. Example: "She felt uncomfortable under his strange gaze, as if he could see right through her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, a police spokesman said officers found McDonald "with a strange gaze about him," carrying a knife he used to slash a tire of a squad car and damage its windshield before running from officers.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

There is a strange thrill in gazing down from a castle turret at the rotating sails of the windmill you climbed hours before.

The New York Times - Tech

Tucked into a wheelchair, her limbs immobile and hands tightly curled, Christine looks around her ��� at the other visitors, the helpful aides, the strange locale — with a gaze that seems at once incurious and beatific.

The New York Times

When with with daring lights of face Of candid grace, I the protecting strange Must turn my gaze, for fear I lose that vision, for the mind Needs shade to find The full light of the sphere.

The New Yorker

There is a clarity and severity in this film that takes it beyond an Anglo-Saxon realm of social realism or miserabilism: this is a film with a rigorous transforming gaze, a strange and passionate urgency.

The Guardian - Film

Finally they reconnect, not harmoniously but through strange reverberations – the darting gaze of Subramaniam's eyes echoed in the jut of Bahoran's shoulders, or the slap of his foot suddenly reminiscent of a krump-style stomp.

The Guardian

But often, as one continues to gaze, a strange sort of turbulence appears among the dots, and then a startling illusion — an image, a shape, whatever — will suddenly appear far above, or far below, the plane of the paper.

The New Yorker

Its narrator, a seed-trader in need of a good envelope-supplier, visits a paper mill and gazes in "strange dread" at the wheels and cylinders of the "inflexible iron animal", shocked by "the metallic necessity, the unbudging fatality which governed it... the autocratic cunning of the machine".

The Guardian - Books

But, in learning her story, the reader also becomes a complicit voyeur, still magnetized to the strange and horrifying beauty gazing lifelessly back at us from the page. .

Huffington Post

Anyway, each morning I would gaze upon these strange creatures while eating my Shreddies, marvelling at their exotic marbled carapaces and wondering what strange things they'd seen in their time in Africa.

The Guardian

At the last exhibition of his paintings, I was overwhelmed by the strange, obsessive intensity of his gaze.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "strange gaze", consider the context and whether a more specific adjective (e.g., "intense", "vacant", "piercing") would better convey the intended meaning. Using a more precise adjective can enhance the impact of your description.

Common error

Avoid using "strange gaze" in situations where it has become a cliché, such as describing a mysterious character in a predictable way. Opt for fresh descriptions to maintain reader engagement and originality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strange gaze" primarily functions as a descriptive element, adding detail to a narrative or character portrayal. It combines an adjective ("strange") with a noun ("gaze") to depict an unusual or unsettling way of looking. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strange gaze" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an unusual or unsettling look. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English. While not very common, it effectively conveys a sense of unease or mystery. As Ludwig's examples indicate, the phrase often appears in news and media contexts. When employing "strange gaze", consider whether a more specific adjective might enrich the description and avoid overusing it in cliché situations to maintain originality. Alternatives like "peculiar stare" or "odd look" can be used for slight variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

peculiar stare

Replaces "strange" with "peculiar" and "gaze" with "stare", altering the tone slightly.

unusual stare

Substitutes "strange" with "unusual", maintaining a similar level of formality.

odd look

Uses simpler terms like "odd" and "look" to convey the same meaning.

eerie gaze

Emphasizes the unsettling nature of the gaze by using "eerie".

unsettling stare

Highlights the discomfort caused by the gaze.

curious look

Suggests the gaze is inquisitive or questioning rather than simply strange.

unnatural look

Implies that the gaze is artificial or forced.

puzzled expression

Focuses on the expression rather than the act of gazing, implying confusion.

baffled look

Similar to "puzzled expression" but suggests a higher degree of confusion.

vacant stare

Suggests a lack of understanding or awareness in the gaze.

FAQs

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

You can use "strange gaze" to describe someone's unusual or unsettling way of looking at something. For instance, "He had a strange gaze that made her feel uneasy".

What are some alternatives to "strange gaze"?

Alternatives include "peculiar stare", "odd look", or "unusual stare", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to describe someone's gaze as "strange"?

Describing someone's gaze as "strange" suggests that their look is unusual, unsettling, or difficult to understand. It often implies that the person is perceiving something differently or has an unusual intent.

Is "strange gaze" a formal or informal expression?

"Strange gaze" is a fairly neutral expression that can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal writing, consider whether a more precise adjective might be more effective.