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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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that's strange

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

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

Vice

"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

The New Yorker

"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

The New Yorker

While that's strange enough, what's even weirder is that Timm really loves the work.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Me: Hmm, that's strange (insert tour manager's name), said I should be good.

News & Media

Vice

That's strange given the importance of Mr. Atkins's financial role at a systemically critical banking giant.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Sport accessories that are strange but relevant to your personality.

I thought that was strange.

News & Media

The New Yorker

He thought that was strange".

Nobody thought that was strange".

"That is strange Christian thing.

News & Media

The New Yorker
Show more...

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.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

Expression frequency: Common

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.

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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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: