a curious idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a curious idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing intrigue or interest in a particular thought or concept that is unusual or unexpected. Example: "The scientist proposed a curious idea about the origins of the universe that sparked much debate among her peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It's a curious idea, but it's a masterstroke.

The Guardian - Music

At first, it seems like a curious idea: the unaffiliated beat blogger.

The New Yorker

Patrick Renshaw Sheffield  George Osborne has a curious idea about his plan "working".

The Guardian

It's a curious idea, perhaps, but a mushroom grows for such a short time, and if you happen to come across it when it's fresh it's like coming across a sound, which also lives a short time".

The New Yorker

In 2007, the photographer David Michalek had a curious idea: What would dancing look like if it were slowed down to less than a hundredth of its normal speed?

The New Yorker

My editor said he preferred it how it was: 'People are just going to think it is you now.' But I said, 'Well - it is me.'" It's a curious idea, that of a writer running away from what he knows, a crime writer fleeing the scene of the crime, but it fits.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Alison Stein Wellner tracks the curious about places, culture and ideas at A Curious Mind.

Huffington Post

It is another reversal of policy and a repudiation of the government's own pledge to combat age discrimination... Somebody there has the curious idea that money a worker saved in what is called an Alternatively Secured Pension is a way of avoiding tax.

The Guardian - Opinion

It begins in 1900, with Ferdinand von Zeppelin, a rich and eccentric German count who, O'Brien writes, "came up with the curious idea of putting several balloons inside a hollow, rigid structure, and then adding engines for power and fins for steering.

The New York Times - Books

As for the curious idea that he might offer concessions to McCain's favourite causes, Bush was downright patronising.

The Guardian

Discarding the supernumerary Latin 'h', one arrives at the curious idea that the clerk who wrote this list thought the painting was called La Onda, or 'The Wave'.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a curious idea" when you want to express that an idea is interesting because it is unusual or unexpected. This phrase is suitable for introducing a concept that might require further explanation or exploration.

Common error

While "a curious idea" is acceptable, overuse in formal contexts can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Consider stronger synonyms like "an innovative concept" or "a novel approach" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a curious idea" functions as a noun phrase with an adjectival modifier. The adjective "curious" describes the noun "idea", indicating that the idea is unusual or intriguing. As Ludwig explains, it expresses interest in a particular thought or concept that is unexpected.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Books

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a curious idea" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce unusual or thought-provoking concepts. Ludwig’s analysis of various sources indicates its primary function is to flag something as interesting due to its unexpected nature. While versatile, it sees more frequent use in news and media than in strictly formal contexts, and may be best replaced with more specific synonyms when precision is paramount. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English to express intrigue, but be mindful of overuse, particularly in formal writing, where synonyms might lend a more sophisticated tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unusual concept

Replaces "curious" with "unusual", simply stating it's not common.

an odd notion

Replaces "curious" with "odd", suggesting something strange or unconventional.

an intriguing concept

Replaces "curious" with "intriguing", emphasizing its captivating quality.

a fascinating notion

Emphasizes the captivating and interesting nature of the idea.

a peculiar thought

Substitutes "curious" with "peculiar" and "idea" with "thought", highlighting its strangeness.

a novel idea

Replaces "curious" with "novel", focusing on its originality.

an unconventional proposition

Highlights the idea's departure from established norms.

a strange proposition

Uses "strange" instead of "curious" and "proposition" instead of "idea", implying it's unconventional.

a remarkable concept

Emphasizes the noteworthiness and impressiveness of the idea.

a whimsical idea

Replaces "curious" with "whimsical", suggesting it is playful and fanciful.

FAQs

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

"A curious idea" is used to describe something thought-provoking or unusual. For example, "The scientist proposed "a curious idea" about the nature of dark matter."

What are some alternatives to "a curious idea"?

You can use alternatives like "an intriguing concept", "an unusual notion", or "a peculiar thought depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a curious idea" formal or informal?

"A curious idea" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider using a more sophisticated synonym.

What's the difference between "a curious idea" and "an interesting idea"?

While both phrases describe something of interest, ""a curious idea"" suggests the idea is unusual or unexpected, while "an interesting idea" simply means it's engaging or worth noting.