this seems strange

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this seems strange" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing confusion or surprise about a situation or observation that does not align with expectations. Example: "After reviewing the data, I must say, this seems strange; the results are not what we anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

This seems strange.

The Guardian - Books

This seems strange to me.

The New York Times

This seems strange on the face of it.

The New Yorker

To some, the timing of this seems strange.

The Guardian - Music

In retrospect, this seems strange; perhaps "freakish" is not too strong a word.

The New Yorker

This seems strange, given the precedent and the opportunity of the role of First Lady.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Does this seem strange to you?

The Guardian - Opinion

This seemed strange at first; what did West care about budget-friendly particleboard furniture?

The New York Times

This seemed strange and disturbing — since when had Mississippi conservatives required a foreign exhorter?

The New Yorker

This seemed strange, since I tried calling at around 5 p.m. Pacific time last Sunday — in the middle of the Super Bowl.

The New York Times

This seemed strange, but potentially logical to me.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this seems strange" to express a mild sense of surprise or confusion, particularly when encountering something that deviates from expectations.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "this seems strange" as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing to convey nuanced degrees of surprise or confusion by using alternatives such as "this appears odd" or "I find this perplexing" to enhance clarity and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this seems strange" primarily functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a subjective reaction of surprise or mild bewilderment. Ludwig examples show its use in response to unexpected findings or observations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

29%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this seems strange" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey a sense of mild surprise or confusion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's prevalent in News & Media and Science contexts, denoting a deviation from expected norms. While versatile, varying the phrasing can enhance writing clarity. Consider alternatives such as "this appears odd" or "this strikes me as odd" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this appears odd

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

this feels unusual

Substitutes "seems" with "feels" and "strange" with "unusual", emphasizing a subjective sense of peculiarity.

this strikes me as odd

Adds the personal perspective "strikes me", increasing the emphasis on the speaker's reaction.

this is quite peculiar

Replaces "seems strange" with a stronger, more formal expression using "peculiar".

this is rather baffling

Conveys a higher degree of confusion, suggesting the situation is difficult to understand.

this gives me pause

Indicates that something is causing hesitation or reflection due to its unusual nature.

I find this perplexing

Emphasizes the speaker's personal difficulty in understanding the situation, making it more subjective.

this raises eyebrows

Suggests the situation is causing surprise or disapproval among others.

this is beyond me

Indicates a complete lack of understanding, implying the situation is too complex or nonsensical.

something's fishy here

Uses an informal idiom to suggest something is wrong or suspicious.

FAQs

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

"This seems strange" is used to express mild surprise or confusion about something unexpected. For example, "The data shows a sudden drop in sales; this seems strange considering our recent marketing campaign."

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

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

Is "this seems strange" formal or informal?

"This seems strange" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives exist for academic or professional writing.

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

"This seems strange" implies a more tentative or subjective observation, while "this is strange" states it as a more definitive fact. The former is often used when you are still processing information, while the latter suggests you've already come to a conclusion.