a curious one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a curious one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is interesting or unusual, often in a way that invites further exploration or inquiry. Example: "The artifact discovered at the site was a curious one, sparking debates among historians about its origin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The sport is a curious one: you balance on top of a monster surfboard and use a large paddle to power along.

The Guardian - Travel

His cake is a curious one, more sponge than fruit – a summer variation on a fruit cake, perhaps, but not rich enough for this time of year.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My roast beef sandwich with crispy onions and celeriac was tasty, although the decision to serve it on a slight sweet buttermilk roll is a curious one.

The Guardian - Travel

That statistic is a curious one, though.

The Guardian - Sport

Oh ho, this is a curious one.

The Guardian - Books

"The process is a curious one," he said.

The Guardian - Books

Her prison friendship with Muriel was a curious one.

The New Yorker

The Costa prize is a curious one in some ways.

The Guardian - Books

But the world occupied by The Persians is a curious one that combines myth and reality.

The Guardian

As ever, UK music's strutting and fretting continued throughout the year – a curious one, all told.

The Guardian

These days, the niche Mr. Veloso occupies in Brazilian culture is a curious one.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a curious one" to describe something that sparks interest or invites further exploration. It's more engaging than simply saying something is "interesting" or "unusual".

Common error

While "a curious one" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language that directly conveys the specific type of curiosity or unusualness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a curious one" functions as a nominal phrase, where 'curious' is an adjective modifying 'one', which acts as a pronoun referring to a previously mentioned noun or concept. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase adds descriptive detail.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Books

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a curious one" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something interesting or unusual. According to Ludwig, it functions as a nominal phrase, adding descriptive detail. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it carries a neutral register suitable for various contexts, though potentially less appropriate in highly formal settings. When considering alternative expressions, "an intriguing matter" or "an unusual case" can serve as effective substitutes depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an intriguing matter

Replaces "curious" with "intriguing" and "one" with "matter", indicating something fascinating and worthy of investigation.

an unusual case

Replaces "curious" with "unusual" and "one" with "case", highlighting the uncommon nature.

a peculiar instance

Substitutes "curious" with "peculiar" and "one" with "instance", emphasizing strangeness.

a puzzling affair

Uses "puzzling" instead of "curious" and "affair" instead of "one", suggesting something confusing or difficult to understand.

an odd situation

Employs "odd" instead of "curious" and "situation" instead of "one", suggesting something strange or unexpected.

a strange phenomenon

Substitutes "curious" with "strange" and "one" with "phenomenon", emphasizing the unusual or inexplicable nature.

a noteworthy instance

Replaces "curious" with "noteworthy" and "one" with "instance", focusing on something significant or deserving attention.

a remarkable occurrence

Uses "remarkable" to convey something noteworthy and "occurrence" instead of "one", focusing on an event.

an exceptional example

Replaces "curious" with "exceptional" and "one" with "example", highlighting the uniqueness of something.

a singular item

Employs "singular" instead of "curious" and "item" instead of "one", emphasizing the distinctness of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a curious one" to describe something interesting or unusual, like, "The artifact found at the dig site was "a curious one", prompting further research."

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

You can use alternatives like "an intriguing matter", "an unusual case", or "a peculiar instance" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "a curious one" in formal writing?

While acceptable, it's often better to use more specific and formal language in academic or professional contexts. Consider alternatives like "a remarkable occurrence" or "a noteworthy instance".

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

"A curious one" often implies interest and a desire to learn more, while "a strange one" emphasizes the unusual or odd nature, potentially with a negative connotation. They are similar but not always interchangeable.