a curious case

USAGE SUMMARY

"a curious case" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when referring to a puzzling situation or a unique phenomenon that has piqued one's interest. For example: "The death of the famous actor was a curious case, with no clear evidence of foul play."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

In an e-mail exposed by the WikiLeaks hack, purporting to detail a conversation between Clinton aides, she allegedly told Banco Itau, a Brazilian bank, in 2013, that she favored, at "some time in the future," a "hemispheric common market, with open trade and open borders"—a curious case of a leak embarrassing a candidate by showing her to be more visionary and expert than she wants to appear.

The New Yorker

Axes America itself presents a curious case.

The New York Times

Los Angeles is a curious case.

The Guardian - Sport

For all its popularity, though, merlot is a curious case.

The New York Times - Food

Well in a curious case of deflation, the Pudracar folks have actually LOWERED their fees recently.

The New York Times

— Quentin Hardy Facebook Giveth, Facebook Taketh: A Curious Case of Video Apps Gigaom.com |  Is Facebook a kingmaker?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

China has become a very curious case.

The New York Times

Here is a most curious case indeed.

The New York Times

The recovery of the cash deepened the mystery surrounding an already curious case.

The New York Times

The new twist in an already curious case comes as the S.E.C. steps up its enforcement of insider trading.

The New York Times

F. Scott Fitzgerald published a story, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," on the theme in 1922.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a curious case", ensure the context clearly establishes the subject's intriguing or puzzling nature. Providing specific details or examples can enhance the phrase's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a curious case" for ordinary situations. The phrase implies a degree of intrigue or peculiarity that would be misplaced in describing commonplace events. For instance, describing a delayed bus as "a curious case" would be an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a curious case" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies and characterizes a situation, event, or phenomenon as being of particular interest due to its unusual or puzzling nature. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a curious case" is a versatile phrase used to denote something unusual, interesting, or puzzling. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability in written English. Predominantly used in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, the phrase invites further exploration or discussion. Related phrases, like "a peculiar situation" or "an unusual occurrence", offer similar meanings with subtle shifts in emphasis. Remember to reserve it for situations truly deserving of intrigue, and Ludwig is here to assist you with more writing insights.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a peculiar situation

Replaces 'case' with 'situation', emphasizing the circumstances rather than a legal or medical context. The similarity score is lower because 'peculiar' might imply a stronger sense of oddity than 'curious'.

an unusual occurrence

Substitutes both 'curious' and 'case' to highlight the infrequency and abnormality of an event. The meaning is similar but focuses more on the event itself.

an odd state of affairs

Replaces 'case' with 'state of affairs', focusing on the overall condition or situation as being strange. Emphasizes the perplexing nature of the situation.

a strange set of circumstances

Emphasizes the unusual and possibly inexplicable nature of the events involved, diverging slightly from the neutral tone of "a curious case".

a puzzling enigma

Increases the sense of mystery and difficulty in understanding the situation, diverging slightly from the more neutral 'curious'.

an interesting development

Focuses on the evolving nature of events and their capacity to capture attention, shifting away from the sense of something being puzzling or problematic.

a singular instance

Highlights the uniqueness of the event, suggesting that it is one-of-a-kind or exceptional. Implies a focus on its distinct characteristics.

a noteworthy incident

Highlights the importance or significance of the event, emphasizing its impact or memorability rather than its strangeness or intrigue.

a remarkable phenomenon

Elevates the event to a level of something scientifically or naturally extraordinary, which may not always be the intended meaning of "a curious case".

an unprecedented situation

Emphasizes that the situation has never occurred before, highlighting its novelty and potential lack of solutions. Focuses on the lack of precedent.

FAQs

How can I use "a curious case" in a sentence?

You can use "a curious case" to describe a situation that is unusual, interesting, or difficult to explain. For example, "The disappearance of the artifact is "a curious case" that has baffled investigators for years."

What are some alternatives to "a curious case"?

Alternatives to "a curious case" include "a peculiar situation", "an unusual occurrence", or "a strange set of circumstances", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a curious case"?

It's appropriate to use "a curious case" when describing something that deviates from the norm, presents a puzzle, or is particularly intriguing due to its unusual nature.

Is "a curious case" formal or informal?

"A curious case" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it leans slightly towards formal due to its analytical nature. It is often found in news reports and academic discussions.