Curiously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Curiously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a statement or observation that is surprising or intriguing. Example: "Curiously, the results of the experiment contradicted our initial hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hundreds of furry little bodies ambled among us, looking curiously at the human interlopers.

The Guardian - Travel

Mohamedou Ould Slahi: "smart, witty, garrulous, and curiously undamaged" Another team inside the plane dragged me and fastened me on a small and straight seat.

The Guardian

Curiously, in fact, it's almost exclusively women who are policed with the shouts of "it's worse elsewhere so think yourself lucky".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Curiously, pro-Russian sympathies are growing, as reactions to the crisis in Ukraine tend to demonstrate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Curiously, one of Portugal's big hopes for the future is Gonçalo Paciência, the son of Domingos, now 19 years old and playing in Porto's reserve team.

The Guardian - Sport

Curiously, Pietersen was then offered a position on an advisory board for England's one-day side; unsurprisingly, that sweetener to the bitterest of pills was rejected.

The Guardian - Sport

Or indeed a bank – a fate to which Otley's pubs are, curiously, particularly vulnerable.

The Guardian

It's a curiously exhilarating experience - until we pass the first of several road accidents that we are to witness.

The Guardian - Travel

In the two and a-half years since Chelsea forked out £17m to bring the then 18-year-old from Anderlecht to Stamford Bridge, the Belgium striker has developed into one of the most feared in the Premier League, even if José Mourinho remains curiously unconvinced.

The Guardian - Sport

"With John, just say, 'Oh, you must have loved your time up in Scotland playing for Celtic.' Then you've got a 10-minute answer.'" In the event, when I do meet the pundits in Aston Villa's curiously swish dressing room, Hartson brings up Celtic before I even get the chance to ask about it, so it all goes out of the window and we talk about punditry instead.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We're living longer, healthier lives than any previous generation but, curiously, worrying about ageing younger," writes Anne Karpf, writer, sociologist and author of How to Age. "This means that we are going to be worried for an awfully long time".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Curiously" to introduce a fact or observation that deviates from what is expected, adding a touch of intrigue to your writing. It can be effective at the beginning of a sentence to capture the reader's attention.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "Curiously", as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternative adverbs or rephrasing your observations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Curiously" is as an adverb. According to Ludwig AI, it modifies a sentence or clause, expressing the manner in which something is done or observed. Examples show it introducing surprising or unexpected elements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Curiously" is a grammatically correct adverb commonly used to introduce an element of surprise or unexpectedness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile for various contexts, but it is especially frequent in news and media, as shown by numerous examples from authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist. While the word serves a valuable function, it's best to avoid overuse, so consider alternatives such as "oddly enough" or "interestingly" to diversify your writing. Remember that while it can enhance a sentence, overuse makes the writing sound repetitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Oddly enough

Emphasizes the unexpected or strange nature of a situation.

Strangely enough

Similar to "oddly enough", highlighting the peculiar aspect.

Interestingly

Focuses on the captivating or noteworthy aspect of a situation.

Remarkably

Highlights the exceptional or surprising nature of something.

Surprisingly

Directly indicates a feeling of astonishment or unexpectedness.

Peculiarly

Emphasizes the distinct or unusual quality of something.

In an unexpected manner

More formal and explicitly states the lack of anticipation.

In a strange way

Focuses on the unconventional or atypical nature of the event.

In an unusual fashion

Highlights the deviation from the norm or standard practice.

It's peculiar that

Adds a personal element of observation about the strangeness.

FAQs

How can I use "Curiously" in a sentence?

"Curiously" is typically used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a surprising or unexpected fact. For example, "Curiously, the weather remained sunny despite the forecast."

What words are similar to "Curiously"?

Alternatives to "Curiously" include "oddly enough", "strangely enough", "interestingly", or "surprisingly". Each can add a slightly different nuance to your writing.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "Curiously"?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with "Curiously". It functions as an adverb, modifying the entire sentence and indicating a sense of surprise or intrigue.

What's the difference between "Curiously" and "suspiciously"?

"Curiously" implies surprise or intrigue, while "suspiciously" suggests doubt or distrust. Use "Curiously" when something is unexpectedly odd, and "suspiciously" when something seems potentially deceitful or wrong.