this appears strange

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this appears strange" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something seems unusual or out of the ordinary. Example: "After reviewing the data, I must say that this appears strange and warrants further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This can be a reason why it appears strange at first, like quantum mechanics in general.

Harvard University

None shall have prizes ReprintsIt is not only Sedna's orbit that appears strange.

The Economist

She was raised in Africa and home-schooled by her zoologist parents; through her eyes, the unexceptional appears strange and novel.

The New Yorker

With insight, empathy and humor, Moore and the gifted illustrator Meilo So delve into the paradox of being a first-generation kid: the most deeply familiar person in your world appears strange or unfamiliar to others.

The New York Times - Books

While it appears strange that Smith would admit the death of a character before he begins filming, it has been suggested that this could be his way of avoiding the disruption that such a scene could create for the rest of the film.

Independent

With such pickings to choose from, the Gérôme theft appears strange, the police said, but it appears to have been the easiest target, because it was poorly guarded at that moment.

The New York Times - Arts

"In one way it appears strange but it was also quite modern to have a theme night," Aldridge says.

BBC

[Author's Response] I have dedicated entire sections to specifying the various assumptions and, in particular, the section entitled "the extended coevolution theory", so the Reviewers' comment appears strange.

Biology Direct

The debate on whether or not to perform radical lymphadenectomy in early cervical cancer appears strange, considering the outcome in breast cancer, as the publication of the results of Z0011 showed no outcome differences between axillary dissection and no further axillary surgery in patients with positive SN, raising doubts on the role of SN biopsy.

British Journal of Cancer

While attention has been given to the notion that ARD is likely related to underlying WKS pathology, it appears strange that more credence has not been given to whether WKS may clinically be a form of dementia, given that it typically entails multiple domains of cognitive impairment alongside functional deficits.

Alzheimer's Research and Therapy

This could appear strange: if the tibia translates anteriorly, the pressure on posterior articular cartilage should increase; however, the authors [73] underlined that, between 120° of knee flexion and full extension, femoral condyles roll anteriorly on the tibia, shifting the contact point anteriorly.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this appears strange" to introduce an observation that deviates from the expected norm, signaling the need for further investigation or analysis. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "this appears strange" excessively in very casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "this seems weird" or "this is odd" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this appears strange" functions as an evaluative statement, presenting a subjective assessment of something as being unusual or unexpected. As shown in Ludwig, it's often used to introduce an observation that deviates from the norm, signaling the need for further scrutiny.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this appears strange" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote something unusual or unexpected. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to present a subjective assessment, inviting further consideration. It is versatile enough to be used in various contexts, ranging from news and media to science and academia, with a generally neutral tone. While it may be slightly more formal than alternatives like "this seems odd", it remains accessible and broadly applicable. When writing, consider the specific context and audience to ensure the chosen phrase aligns with the desired level of formality and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this seems odd

Replaces "appears" with "seems" and "strange" with "odd", resulting in a more informal tone.

this seems unusual

Replaces "strange" with "unusual", conveying a slightly more formal tone.

this looks peculiar

Substitutes "appears" with "looks" and "strange" with "peculiar", implying something is subtly off or remarkable.

this is rather curious

Employs "rather" and "curious" for a more refined and inquisitive expression.

this strikes me as odd

Adds a personal perspective ("strikes me") and uses "odd", making the observation more subjective.

this is quite baffling

Replaces "strange" with "baffling", suggesting the situation is confusing or hard to understand.

this raises questions

Focuses on the consequence of the observation rather than the observation itself, implying something is not easily explained.

this is somewhat perplexing

Utilizes "somewhat" and "perplexing" to convey a sense of mild confusion or bewilderment.

this is a bit suspect

Uses "suspect" to imply that something seems untrustworthy or questionable.

this gives cause for concern

Shifts the focus to the potential negative implications of the observation.

FAQs

How can I use "this appears strange" in a sentence?

You can use "this appears strange" to introduce an observation that something seems unusual or out of the ordinary. For example, "After reviewing the data, "this appears strange" and warrants further investigation."

What can I say instead of "this appears strange"?

You can use alternatives like "this seems odd", "this looks unusual", or "this strikes me as odd" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "this appears strange" or "this is appearing strange"?

"This appears strange" is generally the more correct and common usage. "This is appearing strange" might be used in specific contexts to emphasize the act of something becoming strange over time, but it is less frequent.

What's the difference between "this appears strange" and "this seems strange"?

While both phrases are very similar, ""this appears strange"" can be perceived as slightly more formal than "this seems strange". The choice often depends on the specific context and desired tone.