a curious choice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a curious choice" is a correct and usable part of sentence in written English.
You would use this phrase to indicate that something is an unexpected or unusual selection. For example: "He chose to wear a jacket to the beach, a curious choice for such a warm day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It seemed a curious choice.

The New York Times - Arts

It was a curious choice of music.

The Guardian

Dinner presented a curious choice: sustenance or scene.

The New York Times

On the face of it, it was a curious choice.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was a curious choice, he later said.

The New York Times

Some might have thought it a curious choice.

The New York Times - Arts

But the housing of the sales office there was in some ways a curious choice.

The New York Times

It seems to be a curious choice, and not just because of the model year.

The New York Times

A ballot cast for nothingness is a curious choice in a nation surrounded by turmoil.

The New York Times

Mr Howard defended it to the last.Mr Howard is a curious choice.

The Economist

It was a curious choice for an upper-middle-class teenager from Central America.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a curious choice" when you want to express mild surprise or question the reasoning behind a particular selection or decision, without necessarily implying strong disapproval.

Common error

Avoid using "a curious choice" when a stronger, more critical term is needed. While it implies mild questioning, it might not convey the full extent of disapproval or concern in situations where the choice is clearly detrimental or inappropriate. Consider using phrases like "a disastrous choice" or "an irresponsible decision" to express stronger negative connotations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a curious choice" functions as a noun phrase, with "curious" acting as an adjective modifying the noun "choice". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered grammatically correct. It often serves as a subjective commentary on a decision or selection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a curious choice" is a frequently used phrase to express mild surprise or questioning about a particular selection or decision. It is grammatically correct and suitable for both formal and informal contexts, primarily found in news and media, as well as academic settings. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples. While it is a versatile phrase, it's important to consider the context and choose a more precise term if stronger disapproval is warranted. Alternatives such as "an odd selection" or "a strange decision" offer similar, yet nuanced, ways to express a slightly stronger deviation from the norm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an odd selection

Replaces "curious" with "odd", suggesting a slightly stronger deviation from the norm.

an unusual pick

Substitutes "curious" with "unusual" and "choice" with "pick", implying something is not typical.

a strange decision

Uses "strange" instead of "curious" and "decision" instead of "choice", suggesting bewilderment.

a peculiar selection

Replaces "curious" with "peculiar", indicating something is out of the ordinary.

a questionable decision

Replaces "curious" with "questionable", implying uncertainty or doubt about the selection.

an unexpected selection

Substitutes "curious" with "unexpected", emphasizing the surprise element of the choice.

a remarkable decision

Replaces "curious" with "remarkable", implying the choice is worthy of attention

a surprising pick

Uses "surprising" instead of "curious" and "pick" instead of "choice", highlighting the unexpectedness.

an unconventional selection

Substitutes "curious" with "unconventional", suggesting the choice deviates from norms.

a dubious choice

Replaces "curious" with "dubious", expressing a degree of skepticism about the choice.

FAQs

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

You can use "a curious choice" to describe something that is unexpected or puzzling. For example, "His decision to resign so abruptly was "a curious choice" given his recent promotion."

What are some alternatives to saying "a curious choice"?

You can use alternatives like "an odd selection", "an unusual pick", or "a strange decision" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a curious choice" a formal or informal expression?

"A curious choice" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, the specific context and audience should always be considered.

What's the difference between "a curious choice" and "a questionable decision"?

"A curious choice" implies mild surprise or puzzlement, while "a questionable decision" suggests stronger doubts about the wisdom or appropriateness of the choice.