that seems odd

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that seems odd" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing surprise or confusion about something that appears unusual or unexpected. Example: "I noticed that the report was missing several key figures, and that seems odd given the importance of the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Ms. Peterson is given a straight ballet lexicon that seems odd in this context.

The New York Times - Arts

Even for our diet/calorie/Crossfit-obsessed nation, that seems odd.

The Washington Post

"The only thing that seems odd to me is how the host country gets decent draws.

The New York Times - Sports

With the unemployment rate at, or below, the level most economists associate with full employment, that seems odd.

The Economist

Professor Ben Polak: So one thing that seems odd about the way we set up this model is that the voters are not evenly distributed.

Yale University

"It's an area we have been following, and a number of regulators have concerns," says one member of the FSF.At first sight, that seems odd.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Matches that seem odd are often the most exciting.

The New York Times

People need to be very much on the ball when looking at codings that seem odd".

Independent

Myoko, for reasons that seem odd at first, is more sentimental than most of the locals.

The Guardian - Books

The courts in Mexico often render decisions without explanation that seem odd to the general public, spurring conspiracy theories.

The New York Times

He says that for years, nobody questioned top-tier managers, even if they approved transactions that seemed odd.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that seems odd" to express a mild sense of surprise or confusion when something doesn't align with expectations. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While appropriate, overuse of "that seems odd" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with alternatives like "that's unusual" or "that strikes me as strange" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that seems odd" functions as an evaluative statement. It expresses a subjective assessment that something is unusual or unexpected. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable in written English and implies a degree of surprise or mild confusion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that seems odd" is a versatile phrase used to express mild surprise or confusion when something deviates from the expected norm. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in a variety of contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal writing. While very frequent in News & Media, it appears as well in academic, science and wiki. Remember to consider alternatives like ""that appears strange"" or ""that seems unusual"" to avoid repetition and enhance the clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that appears strange

Replaces "seems" with "appears", focusing on visual perception or initial impression.

that strikes me as odd

Adds a personal perspective, emphasizing the speaker's reaction.

that's rather peculiar

Uses "peculiar" for a more formal or unusual tone.

that's quite strange

Substitutes "odd" with "strange" for a slightly stronger sense of unusualness.

that seems unusual

Replaces "odd" with "unusual", indicating a deviation from the norm.

that seems peculiar to me

Combines "peculiar" with a personal viewpoint, highlighting individual perception.

that's a bit weird

Uses "weird" for a more informal and colloquial expression.

that's somewhat curious

Employs "curious" suggesting something intriguing and prompting further investigation.

that's rather fishy

Introduces "fishy", implying suspicion or deceitfulness.

something seems off about that

Uses "off" to suggest that something is not right or correct.

FAQs

How can I use "that seems odd" in a sentence?

Use "that seems odd" to express mild surprise or confusion about something unexpected. For example, "The data doesn't match the predictions; "that seems odd"."

What are some alternatives to "that seems odd"?

You can use alternatives like "that appears strange", "that strikes me as odd", or "that seems unusual" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "that seems odd" and "that is odd"?

"That seems odd" expresses a subjective impression, while "that is odd" states it as a fact. The former is more tentative, the latter more assertive.

Is "that seems odd" formal or informal?

"That seems odd" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, consider alternatives such as "that's rather peculiar".