this seems odd

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this seems odd" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something appears unusual or out of the ordinary. Example: "After reviewing the data, I must say that this seems odd; the results don't match our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

This seems odd.

The Economist

Initially this seems odd.

The Economist

One thing about this seems odd though.

The Economist

This seems odd at first.

The Guardian - Books

Maybe this seems odd to ask.

The New York Times - Arts

This seems odd, until one considers readers' promiscuity.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

This seemed odd, since it was still early.

The New York Times - Travel

This seemed odd, since AOL had testified against Microsoft in the trial.

The New Yorker

This seemed odd, since the car is likely to be driven most in sunny climates.

The New York Times

Now I know all about the "dynamic pricing" model used by airlines, but this seemed odd.

The Guardian - Money

Doesn't this seem odd when the horse industry generates $700 million each year in the state?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, follow it with an explanation or further observation to clarify why something seems odd to you, providing context for your assessment.

Common error

While "this seems odd" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and analytical language to convey your observations and concerns. For instance, consider using phrases like "this deviates from the expected pattern" or "these results warrant further investigation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this seems odd" primarily functions as an evaluative expression, introducing an observation that something deviates from what is expected or normal. Ludwig AI confirms this, stating the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this seems odd" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate something appears unusual or unexpected. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it serves to introduce a mild form of disagreement or signal the need for further explanation. To avoid overuse in formal writing, alternatives like "this appears unusual" or "this raises questions" can be considered. Overall, it's a useful phrase to add nuance to your observations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this appears strange

Replaces 'seems' with 'appears' and 'odd' with 'strange', offering a slightly more formal tone.

this looks unusual

Substitutes 'seems' with 'looks' and 'odd' with 'unusual', providing a more visual and less judgmental connotation.

this strikes me as odd

Adds a personal perspective ('me') and replaces 'seems' with 'strikes', emphasizing a subjective feeling of oddness.

this feels strange

Changes 'seems' to 'feels', focusing on a subjective sensation of strangeness.

this is rather peculiar

Uses 'is' instead of 'seems' and replaces 'odd' with 'peculiar', increasing the formality and emphasizing the distinctiveness.

this is somewhat strange

Replaces 'seems odd' with 'is somewhat strange', softening the assertion of oddness with 'somewhat'.

it seems rather odd

Adds 'it' as a pronoun for emphasis and uses 'rather' to intensify the oddness.

that's a bit strange

Changes the subject to 'that' and expresses oddness in a more conversational way using 'a bit strange'.

i find this odd

Shifts the focus to the speaker's personal experience of finding something odd.

this raises questions

This indicates the situation causes questions that are difficult to explain with the know knowledge.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "this seems odd" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "this appears unusual", "this is rather peculiar", or "the foregoing raises questions" depending on the context.

What's a more casual way to say "this seems odd"?

In more casual settings, you could say "that's a bit strange" or "this feels strange". These options are less formal and more conversational.

When is it appropriate to use "this seems odd" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "this seems odd" when you want to express a mild sense of surprise or disagreement without being overly critical. It works well as an introduction to a contrasting viewpoint or observation.

Is "this seems odd" grammatically correct?

Yes, "this seems odd" is grammatically correct. The subject "this" agrees with the verb "seems", and "odd" is used as a subject complement describing "this".