a curious decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a curious decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decision that is unusual or raises questions about its reasoning or motivation. Example: "The board made a curious decision to invest in a failing company, leaving many stakeholders puzzled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

More than a decade ago, Kevin Spacey made what many in Hollywood considered a curious decision.

Los Angeles Times

On the surface, it seems a curious decision.

Independent

A curious decision by the police reinforced this.

The New Yorker

Pacquiao lost that fight in a curious decision on the scorecards.

The New York Times - Sports

It must have seemed like a curious decision to the people who knew her.

The Guardian

And, even based on a judgment of the politics, this is a curious decision.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

55 mins Pirlo has come off to be replaced by Ambrosini, which seems a slightly curious decision - I thought he'd been playing pretty well.

The Guardian - Sport

Sather made an even more curious decision with his forward lines.

The New York Times - Sports

For Microsoft, that is a threat - and one which may be behind its curious decision to make an advert dissing Chromebooks.

The Guardian - Tech

— Glenn Collins The Paris Review: The liquor writer Alia Akkam recalls her teetotaling Middle Eastern father's curious decision to build a basement bar in their home.

The New York Times

The Hornets/Pelicans, meanwhile, have chosen to not repeat the curious decision to keep an ill-fitting name, not that the decision was made easily.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a curious decision", consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended level of surprise or skepticism. Be mindful that "curious" can imply mild surprise, intrigue, or even disapproval.

Common error

Avoid using "a curious decision" simply as a filler phrase. Ensure the decision genuinely warrants the description by providing context that explains why it's unusual or unexpected. Otherwise, opt for a more direct description of the decision's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a curious decision" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, where "curious" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "decision". It typically introduces an element of surprise or questioning regarding a particular choice or action. Ludwig examples illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a curious decision" is a phrase used to describe a choice that seems unusual, unexpected, or questionable. Ludwig AI affirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it introduces an element of mild surprise or skepticism, setting the stage for further explanation or analysis. Alternatives include "an odd decision" or "a puzzling decision", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly supports why the decision warrants such a description to avoid overuse or ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A peculiar choice

Replaces "curious" with "peculiar", suggesting something is odd or eccentric.

An odd decision

Substitutes "curious" with "odd", implying something strange or unusual.

A strange choice

Replaces "curious" with "strange", indicating something unusual or unfamiliar.

A puzzling decision

Emphasizes the perplexing nature of the decision, suggesting it's difficult to understand.

An unusual choice

Substitutes "curious" with "unusual", highlighting the uncommon nature of the decision.

A questionable decision

Focuses on the doubtfulness or uncertainty surrounding the decision.

A remarkable decision

Highlights the noteworthiness of the decision, though it could be positive or negative.

A noteworthy decision

Indicates the decision is deserving of attention, without necessarily implying it is strange.

An unconventional choice

Emphasizes that the choice deviates from what is typically expected.

An unorthodox decision

Highlights the departure from standard practice or norms in making the decision.

FAQs

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

You can use "a curious decision" to describe choices that seem unexpected, puzzling, or raise questions. For instance, "The company's decision to abandon its most profitable product line was "a curious decision"."

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

"A curious decision" suggests mild surprise or intrigue, while "a strange decision" implies something is more unusual or odd. "Curious" focuses on the puzzling aspect, whereas "strange" emphasizes the deviation from the norm.

What can I say instead of "a curious decision"?

You can use alternatives like "an odd decision", "a peculiar choice", or "a puzzling decision" depending on the context. These alternatives offer slightly different shades of meaning related to the unexpected or questionable nature of the decision.

Is "a curious decision" a formal or informal phrase?

"A curious decision" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its neutrality allows it to fit well in news articles, academic papers, and casual conversations.