a peculiar case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a peculiar case" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or instance that is unusual or distinctive in some way. Example: "The detective was faced with a peculiar case that had baffled the entire department for months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

IT WAS a peculiar case.

The Economist

However, it should be noted that there is a peculiar case too.

Nature

As per the preliminary investigations, this seems to be a "peculiar case," Mr. Sindhu said Tuesday morning.

The New York Times

K.K. Sindhu, Gurgaon's commissioner of police, said that her claims seemed to be a "peculiar case," but then later said medical tests verified that she had been raped.

The New York Times

In transitional environments, the intertidal zones represent a peculiar case characterized by halophile vegetation and by a low diversity benthic community.

Ecological Engineering

Well, The Judas Kiss is a peculiar case because it had a first production which everybody involved – myself included – found deeply unsatisfactory.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

And Weiss is a special, peculiar, case: She categorized Enron as "overvalued," i.e., a potential short, all year which it began, remember, at $84.

Forbes

I consider myself a very peculiar case of the child-prodigy phenomenon.

The New York Times - Magazine

A more peculiar case corresponds to the exclusive presence of cyclopropane synthetase (2.1.1.79), which catalyzes the production of cyclopropane fatty acids (CFAs).

BMC Genomics

In a unique and peculiar case, such donor cells were even able to give rise to a skin carcinoma, a situation that we did not identify in the present study.

Breast Cancer Research

We report the peculiar case of a patient with a retained large epidural catheter fragment, incidentally found 12 years after its placement.

BMC Anesthesiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a peculiar case" to introduce a situation that deviates from the norm, prompting further investigation or explanation.

Common error

While "a peculiar case" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid using it too frequently. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "an unusual circumstance" or "a strange situation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a peculiar case" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something as an instance or situation characterized by unusual or distinctive qualities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a peculiar case" is used to describe something unusual or distinctive, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a noun phrase, primarily to categorize situations as exceptional or requiring further attention. While grammatically correct and versatile across various contexts, it's important to consider its relative formality and ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your writing. Ludwig examples showcase its application in News & Media and Science often. Remember to use it judiciously to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strange situation

Replaces 'peculiar' with 'strange', focusing on the odd or unusual nature of the situation.

an unusual circumstance

Substitutes 'peculiar' with 'unusual' and 'case' with 'circumstance', emphasizing the uncommon nature of the event.

a curious incident

Replaces 'peculiar' with 'curious' and 'case' with 'incident', highlighting the intriguing aspect of the event.

a singular instance

Uses 'singular' to denote uniqueness and 'instance' as a more formal alternative to 'case'.

an odd occurrence

Replaces 'peculiar' with 'odd' and 'case' with 'occurrence', suggesting something out of the ordinary.

a remarkable event

Highlights the noteworthiness of the 'case', framing it as something significant.

an exceptional situation

Emphasizes that the case is an exception from the norm.

an atypical example

Highlights the non-typicality of the 'case', marking it as something divergent from standard examples.

a one-off situation

Emphasizes the uniqueness of the situation implying that it will not happen again.

an unprecedented event

Implies that there is no previous occurence of such an event, emphasizing its novelty.

FAQs

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

You can use "a peculiar case" to describe something that is strange, odd, or unusual. For example, "The detective described the disappearance as "a peculiar case", unlike anything he'd seen before."

What can I say instead of "a peculiar case"?

You can use alternatives like "a strange situation", "an unusual circumstance", or "a curious incident" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a peculiar case" in formal writing?

Yes, "a peculiar case" can be used in formal writing, especially when describing something that requires detailed analysis or explanation. However, ensure that the tone remains professional and objective. In some situations, alternatives like "a singular instance" might sound even more formal.

What distinguishes "a peculiar case" from "a special case"?

"A peculiar case" implies something is odd or unusual, while "a special case" suggests something requires specific or different handling due to unique circumstances. The phrase "a special case" does not inherently imply something is odd, only that it's distinct.