what an odd

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'what an odd' is not correct or usable in written English.
To make a sentence using this phrase, you could say "What an odd way to look at the situation".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What an odd thing.

The New Yorker

What an odd sport.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What an odd pizza.

The New York Times - Food

What an odd start.

The Guardian - Sport

What an odd place.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And what an odd prop he is.

The New York Times

Violoncello: What an odd word!

The New York Times - Arts

What an odd Super Bowl.

The New York Times - Sports

What an odd town Newmarket is.

The Guardian - Sport

What an odd nation we must be.

The Guardian - Books

Winner: Alex Ferguson What an odd pairing.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose a more descriptive adjective than "odd" to better convey the specific nuance of strangeness you intend. For example, use "bizarre", "peculiar", or "unusual" for more precise communication.

Common error

The phrase "what an odd" is incorrect because "an" should only be used before vowel sounds, and the adjective "odd" begins with a vowel sound. Avoid this by using the grammatically correct alternative "what a strange".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what an odd" functions as an exclamatory expression of surprise or bemusement regarding something perceived as unusual or strange. However, Ludwig AI points out that this usage is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "what an odd" is frequently used, especially in news and media, it's important to acknowledge its grammatical incorrectness, as Ludwig AI highlights. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "what a strange", "how odd", or "that's odd" for grammatically sound expression. Choose more descriptive adjectives to emphasize the nuances of strangeness you aim to convey. Despite its common usage, being mindful of grammatical precision will enhance the clarity and credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What a strange

Similar in meaning, but correct in its grammar construction.

That's odd

A simple statement of something being odd, less emphatic than the original phrase.

How strange

Expresses surprise at something unusual or unexpected, focusing on its deviation from the norm.

That's peculiar

Highlights the unusual or eccentric nature of something, often implying a slight deviation from expectations.

That's unusual

Emphasizes the deviation from what is typically observed or expected.

How bizarre

Conveys a stronger sense of strangeness or abnormality, often implying something unsettling or disturbing.

How curious

Suggests a sense of intrigue or interest in the oddness of something, rather than just surprise.

That's unconventional

Focuses on the departure from established norms or practices.

That's unorthodox

Similar to "unconventional", but often implies a deviation from established rules or beliefs.

How atypical

Highlights the lack of conformity to a typical pattern or characteristic.

FAQs

What's the correct way to express surprise at something odd?

Instead of the grammatically questionable "what an odd", opt for phrases like "what a strange", "how odd", or the simple statement /s/that+is+odd "that is odd".

What can I say instead of "what an odd" in formal writing?

For formal contexts, replace "what an odd" with alternatives such as "what a strange", "how peculiar", or "that is unusual". These options provide a more polished and grammatically sound expression.

Is it ever appropriate to use "what an odd"?

While frequently used in informal speech, "what an odd" is grammatically incorrect. It's best to reserve it for casual conversation or when deliberately flouting grammatical rules for effect. Otherwise, stick to corrected variations such as /s/what+a+strange "what a strange".

What's the difference between "what an odd" and "what a strange"?

"What an odd" is grammatically incorrect due to the use of "an" before a consonant sound in "odd". The correct version is /s/what+a+strange "what a strange", as "a" is used before consonant sounds.