this looks strange

USAGE SUMMARY

"this looks strange" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of confusion or surprise when something does not appear to be as expected. For example, "I opened the door and saw something glowing in the dark. This looks strange..."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If this looks strange to a British eye, it is not just because Britain lacks a similar single historical moment; it highlights a divergence between political cultures that, on the eve of David Cameron's first visit to Washington as prime minister, has implications for his government.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I'm not sure if this looked strange to anyone, but I'm also pretty sure I was staring at my camera without doing anything for what seemed like hours.

Vice

"I know it looks strange, but this is not a guy who we did anything for," Mr. Shuffler said.

The New York Times

It looks strange.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Her face looks strange.

The Guardian

The Tidal Basin looks strange right now.

The Washington Post

It certainly looks strange, right from the off.

Independent

"Now it looks strange if you show up in jeans".

The New York Times

Looks strange from today's perspective".

The Guardian - Sport

Another address, especially one that looks strange, should raise suspicions.

The Guardian - Tech

The contingency we have not considered seriously looks strange; what looks strange is thought improbable; what is improbable need not be considered seriously".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this looks strange" when you want to express mild surprise or confusion about something's appearance. It's suitable for both casual and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

In formal writing, avoid overusing "this looks strange". Opt for more precise and descriptive language to explain the specific issue you're observing. Instead of a general observation like "this looks strange", provide details such as "the data exhibits an unexpected anomaly" or "the methodology deviates from established protocols".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this looks strange" functions as an observation or expression of something appearing unusual or out of the ordinary. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

15%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this looks strange" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express that something appears odd or unusual. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely used and easily understood. While suitable for general use, it's important to consider context and choose more descriptive language in formal writing. Remember to use related phrases like "this seems odd" or "this appears unusual" depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this seems odd

Replaces "looks strange" with "seems odd" to convey a similar feeling of something being unusual.

this appears unusual

Uses "appears unusual" instead of "looks strange", highlighting the unexpected nature of something.

this feels weird

Changes "looks strange" to "feels weird", shifting the focus to a subjective sensation of something being off.

this strikes me as peculiar

Replaces the informal "looks strange" with a more formal "strikes me as peculiar", indicating something is notably odd.

this gives me a funny feeling

Emphasizes the unsettling or suspicious nature of something rather than just its strangeness.

this is out of the ordinary

Focuses on the deviation from the norm, rather than the specific strangeness.

something is not right here

Indicates a general sense of unease or suspicion, implying something is amiss.

this raises some eyebrows

Highlights the potential for surprise or concern caused by the unusual appearance.

this doesn't seem quite right

Expresses a subtle feeling that something is incorrect or inappropriate.

this is rather curious

Substitutes "looks strange" with "is rather curious", indicating an interest in the unusual nature of something.

FAQs

What does "this looks strange" mean?

The phrase "this looks strange" is used to express that something appears odd, unusual, or unexpected. It suggests that something is not as it should be or deviates from what is considered normal.

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

You can use "this looks strange" to describe something that seems peculiar. For example: "I noticed a symbol on the wall that I didn't recognize; "this looks strange"."

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

You can use alternatives like "this seems odd", "this appears unusual", or "this feels weird" depending on the context.

Is "this looks strange" formal or informal?

"This looks strange" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, you might prefer phrases like "this appears unusual" or "this is rather curious".