What is strange? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "strange" effectively in English. It's a versatile word with a few different nuances.

1. Basic Meaning: Unusual or Odd

• Core Usage: This is the most common meaning. "Strange" describes something that deviates from the normal, expected, or familiar.

  • Example: "It was strange to see a penguin in the desert." (Not normal)
  • Example: "He had a strange habit of talking to himself." (Odd behavior)
  • Example: "The weather was strange – warm for December." (Unusual weather)

2. Expressing Surprise or Confusion

• Often used with "I" or "You": When you find something bewildering, baffling, or surprising, "strange" can express that feeling.

  • Example: "I found it strange that he didn't call me back." (Expressing surprise and a little confusion)
  • Example: "It was strange to me how quickly she learned the new language." (Showing bewilderment)

3. Describing People (More Informal)

• Can mean a bit eccentric or unusual in personality: This usage is more informal and often carries a slightly positive or neutral connotation.

  • Example: "He's a really strange guy, but he's got a good heart." (Unconventional, but ultimately likable)
  • Example: "She has a strange sense of humor." (Unique and perhaps quirky)

4. Describing Experiences (Often with "feeling"):

• Expressing a peculiar or unsettling feeling: "Strange" paired with “feeling” adds a layer of emotional description.

  • Example: “I had a strange feeling that something bad was going to happen.” (A sense of unease)
  • Example: “There was a strange feeling in the room – a sense of tension.”

5. Figurative Language (Less Common, More Literary)

• "Strange bedfellows": This idiom refers to people or groups who are unlikely allies or partners.
  • Example: "The politician and the activist formed a strange bedfellows to fight corruption."

Important Notes & Related Words

• Synonyms: "Strange" has many synonyms, depending on the context: unusual, odd, peculiar, bizarre, strange, freakish, unusual, weird, eccentric, unfamiliar.
• "Weird" vs. "Strange": "Weird" is often more informal and can sometimes imply something disturbing or frightening. "Strange" is generally more neutral. However, the words are often used interchangeably.
• "Strangeness": This is the noun form (the state or quality of being strange).
  • Example: "There was a strangeness about the old house."

Let's Practice!

Here are a few sentences for you to try:

1. “I found the movie to be quite _____, with its bizarre plot twists.” (Possible answers: strange, weird, peculiar)
2. “She had a ____ smile that made people feel uncomfortable.” (Possible answers: strange, weird, unusual)
3. “It was ____ to hear that animals could now be trained to play musical instruments.” (Possible answers: strange, odd, unusual)

To help me tailor this explanation even further, could you tell me:

• What specifically are you trying to use "strange" for? (e.g., writing a story, describing something you saw, etc.)