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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
that's strange
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(6)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
49 human-written examples
There is a lot that's strange about Tillerson's current position.
News & Media
"I was thinking, That's strange, because I actually understood this person, and I usually don't understand people from Montreal," the neighbor told the Boston Globe.
News & Media
"I was thinking, 'That's strange,' " the neighbor told the Boston Globe, "because I actually understood this person, and I usually don't understand people from Montreal".
News & Media
While that's strange enough, what's even weirder is that Timm really loves the work.
News & Media
Me: Hmm, that's strange (insert tour manager's name), said I should be good.
News & Media
That's strange given the importance of Mr. Atkins's financial role at a systemically critical banking giant.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
10 human-written examples
Sport accessories that are strange but relevant to your personality.
Wiki
I thought that was strange.
News & Media
He thought that was strange".
News & Media
Nobody thought that was strange".
News & Media
"That is strange Christian thing.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "that's strange" to express mild surprise or confusion when something deviates from the expected norm. It's suitable for informal conversations and writings.
Common error
While acceptable in casual settings, avoid using "that's strange" in formal writing or professional communications. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "that is unusual" or "that is unexpected" to maintain a professional tone.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
That's strange functions primarily as an interjection or a short declarative statement expressing surprise, confusion, or mild disbelief. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is widely used in conversational contexts to acknowledge something unexpected or out of the ordinary.
Frequent in
News & Media
60%
Wiki
20%
Science
10%
Less common in
Formal & Business
5%
Encyclopedias
3%
Reference
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "that's strange" is a common and versatile expression used to convey mild surprise or confusion when encountering something unexpected. As shown by Ludwig, it functions as an interjection, prompting further inquiry or discussion. While grammatically sound and widely acceptable, it's best suited for informal or neutral contexts and you should prefer alternatives in formal contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media sources, and related phrases include "that is odd" and "that is unusual". Consider using more formal alternatives when writing business correspondences. Overall, the phrase is a useful and appropriate way to express mild surprise in everyday conversations.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
that is odd
Uses "odd" instead of "strange" to express a similar feeling of something being unusual.
that's peculiar
Replaces "strange" with "peculiar", suggesting a slightly more formal or nuanced sense of something being out of the ordinary.
that's unusual
Substitutes "strange" with "unusual", highlighting the uncommon nature of the situation.
that seems weird
Employs "weird" instead of "strange", offering a more informal and colloquial expression of something being odd.
that's surprising
Focuses on the element of surprise associated with the strange occurrence.
that's unexpected
Highlights the unforeseen nature of the situation, similar to "that's strange".
how very odd
Adds emphasis to the oddness of the situation, expressing a stronger sense of surprise.
that's a bit off
Uses the idiom "a bit off" to indicate something is slightly strange or not quite right.
that's out of the ordinary
Emphasizes the deviation from the norm, conveying a similar meaning to "that's strange".
that raises an eyebrow
Implies that something is strange enough to cause surprise or suspicion.
FAQs
What are some alternative ways to say "that's strange"?
You can use alternatives like "that is odd", "that is peculiar", or "that is unusual" depending on the context and desired level of formality.
Is it appropriate to use "that's strange" in formal writing?
While grammatically correct, "that's strange" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider using more sophisticated phrases like "that is unexpected" or "that is anomalous".
How does the meaning of "that's strange" differ from "that's surprising"?
"That's strange" implies something is unusual or doesn't fit the norm, while "that's surprising" focuses on the element of unexpectedness. They can be used interchangeably in some contexts, but "that's strange" emphasizes the oddity more directly.
What's the difference between "that's strange" and "that's weird"?
Both phrases express something is out of the ordinary, but "that's weird" often carries a slightly stronger connotation of being unsettling or disturbing, while "that's strange" is generally milder and simply indicates something is unusual.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested