strangely enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"strangely enough" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an expression that is used to introduce a phrase that is somehow unexpected or surprising. For example, "Strangely enough, he had no explanation for his sudden change of mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Strangely enough, I would.

The New York Times

Strangely enough, yes.

The New York Times - Magazine

Strangely enough, Matthew Perry.

The Guardian

Strangely enough, though, it didn't matter.

The Guardian - Travel

Strangely enough, I miss more peripheral things.

The New York Times - Magazine

Strangely enough, I felt better almost immediately.

The New Yorker

Strangely enough, doubt need not impede action.

The New York Times

I now Strangely enough Calif.

The New York Times - Magazine

Strangely enough, I miss him.

The Guardian - Sport

Strangely enough, he is not.

The New York Times - Books

Strangely enough, I entirely agree.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strangely enough" to introduce a fact or situation that contradicts expectations or previous knowledge. This adds emphasis to the unexpected nature of the information.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences or paragraphs with "strangely enough". Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Try varying your sentence structure and using other adverbs to express surprise or unexpectedness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strangely enough" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies the entire sentence or clause, expressing the speaker's or writer's surprise or recognition of something unexpected. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and used to introduce surprising facts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strangely enough" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to introduce an element of surprise or unexpectedness. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically sound and employed across diverse writing styles, from news articles to academic papers. While highly common, it's essential to avoid overuse for maintaining stylistic impact. The phrase's primary function is to alert the audience about a surprising aspect, inviting a reevaluation of previous assumptions. Alternatives such as "oddly enough" or "surprisingly enough" can offer subtle variations in tone. Predominantly found in news and media, "strangely enough" adds a specific nuance to sentences, making it a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

oddly enough

Replaces "strangely" with "oddly", maintaining the core meaning of something unexpected.

curiously enough

Substitutes "strangely" with "curiously", emphasizing the intriguing nature of the surprising element.

surprisingly enough

Emphasizes the surprise aspect more directly than "strangely enough".

peculiarly enough

Highlights the unusual or unique nature of the situation.

bizarrely enough

Conveys a stronger sense of oddness or abnormality.

funnily enough

Adds a lighter, more whimsical tone to the expression.

incredibly enough

Highlights the difficult to believe nature of the situation.

remarkably enough

Emphasizes the noteworthy or significant aspect of the unexpected element.

unexpectedly enough

Directly points to the lack of anticipation surrounding the event.

of all things

Expresses surprise and disbelief at a particular occurrence.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "strangely enough" in a sentence?

Use "strangely enough" to preface a statement that presents an unexpected or surprising element. For example, "Strangely enough, the rain stopped just as we arrived at the beach." It should smoothly integrate into the sentence's flow.

What are some alternatives to "strangely enough"?

You can use alternatives like "oddly enough", "surprisingly enough", or "curiously enough" to convey a similar sense of surprise or unexpectedness.

Is "strangely enough" considered formal or informal?

"Strangely enough" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. While it adds a touch of surprise, it's generally accepted in a variety of writing styles.

Can I use "strangely enough" at the end of a sentence?

While less common, "strangely enough" can occasionally be placed at the end of a sentence for emphasis, though it typically functions best at the beginning or near the middle. For example: "He actually enjoyed the movie, strangely enough."