strange to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strange to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of oddness or discomfort regarding a situation or state of being. Example: "It feels strange to be in a place where I once felt so at home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Strange to be remembering how.

The New Yorker

It's so strange to be back.

The Economist

It is strange, to be sure.

The New York Times - Sports

It's strange to be back here again".

The New York Times

She was quite strange, to be honest.

The Guardian - Arts

But it is strange to be here".

The New York Times

It feels strange to be normal again.

The Guardian - Travel

It was strange to be among so many whites.

The New Yorker

"It felt strange to be honest with you," he replies.

Independent

It's so strange to be so popular here.

The Guardian

It's strange to be in Africa in a bubble.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strange to be" to express a sense of displacement or unfamiliarity in a new or changed environment. For example, "It felt strange to be back in my childhood home after so many years."

Common error

Avoid using "strange to be" in highly formal or technical writing. While grammatically correct, it carries a slightly informal tone that might be inappropriate for academic papers or business reports. Consider alternatives like "unconventional" or "unexpected" for a more professional register.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strange to be" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying a subject (often implied or stated) to express a feeling of oddness, surprise, or unfamiliarity regarding a situation or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "strange to be" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey a sense of oddness or unfamiliarity. As per Ludwig AI analysis, it's usable in written English to describe a feeling of discomfort or surprise in a particular situation. While predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains a generally neutral to informal register. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "odd to be" or "unusual to be". Overall, understanding the context and desired tone is crucial for effective use of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

odd to be

Replaces "strange" with "odd", maintaining a similar nuance of something being unusual.

peculiar to be

Substitutes "strange" with "peculiar", emphasizing the distinctiveness of the situation.

unusual to be

Uses "unusual" instead of "strange", highlighting the uncommon nature of the experience.

surprising to be

Replaces "strange" with "surprising", focusing on the unexpected aspect of the state.

novel to be

Indicates that the experience is new or unfamiliar, rather than inherently odd.

new to be

Indicates a state of something being recently experienced for the first time.

different to be

Emphasizes the contrast between the current state and what is considered normal or typical.

uncommon to be

Highlights that the situation is not frequently encountered.

foreign to be

Suggests that the experience feels alien or out of place.

unexpected to be

Highlights the lack of anticipation for the particular state or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "strange to be" in a sentence?

You can use "strange to be" to describe a feeling of unfamiliarity or oddness in a particular situation. For example, "It feels strange to be the only one who doesn't know about this" or "It's strange to be back after all these years".

What are some alternatives to "strange to be"?

Some alternatives to "strange to be" include phrases like "odd to be", "unusual to be", or "peculiar to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "strange to be"?

While grammatically correct, "strange to be" might not be suitable for all contexts. It's best used in informal or neutral settings. In formal writing, consider more sophisticated alternatives such as "unexpected to be" or "uncommon to be".

What's the difference between "strange to be" and "it is strange to"?

"Strange to be" is a more concise way to express a feeling of oddness or unfamiliarity, while "it is strange to" is a more formal and complete sentence structure. The choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.