a peculiar request

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a peculiar request" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a request that is unusual or strange in nature. Example: "She made a peculiar request for a meeting at midnight, which caught everyone off guard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Trump said in a recent interview on Fox News that he would "be submitting things before the committee very soon". And Nunes used his opening statement in the Comey hearing to issue a peculiar request for anonymous sources to bring the committee relevant information.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

One female FGD participant narrated a scenario of how it may be awkward for a man to be excused from work because his superiors may consider it as a rare and peculiar request.

BMC Public Health

Remember Lady Gaga's peculiar request for a "mannequin with puffy pink pubic hair" on her Monster Ball tour?

Huffington Post

We are grateful to Luke Hayman and Regan Johnson at Pentagram for providing a wonderful design and accommodating our peculiar requests, often relating to the color orange.

Princeton University

You know the kind I mean, the friend who makes it almost impossible to enjoy a meal in a restaurant because of his or her wildly peculiar requests to the wait staff?

Huffington Post

Entertaining the peculiar requests of rich clientele and government departments meant Stratfor needed a web of informants in American agencies and international regimes; they even count Canadian officials among their sources.

Vice

Clark Gable, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn have all checked in to sip the local water over the years, and discreet staff have handled smoothly guests with peculiar requests or capricious behaviour, including the Polish count who insisted on clearing the restaurant for a game of tennis to a British lord who was ticked off for flicking cherry stones at other guests during dinner.

The Guardian

That is to say when supply is shaped based on vertically integrated firm so as to satisfy peculiar requests from the consumers' side.

Agricultural and Food Economics

In addition, results of published studies refer to a peculiar population of GD patients that requested help and treatment.

BioMed Research International

(It's a peculiar car).

The New York Times - Magazine

What a peculiar expression, methinks.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a peculiar request" when you want to subtly highlight that the request is out of the ordinary without necessarily implying negativity or shock.

Common error

While "peculiar" is acceptable, be mindful of its slightly whimsical tone. In very formal or business settings, consider alternatives like "unusual" or "atypical" for a more neutral effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a peculiar request" functions as a noun phrase, where "peculiar" modifies the noun "request". It describes the nature of the request, indicating it's out of the ordinary. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a peculiar request" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase employed to describe a request that is unusual or strange. While it’s not exceedingly common, as indicated by its “rare” frequency, Ludwig AI confirms its validity. As per the analyzed data, it appears in both News & Media and Science domains. When employing this phrase, it's helpful to be aware of alternative phrasings, like "an odd request" or "an unusual request", and to ensure the level of formality fits the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An odd request

Replaces "peculiar" with "odd", indicating something strange or unusual.

A strange request

Substitutes "peculiar" with "strange", conveying a sense of unfamiliarity or surprise.

An unusual request

Replaces "peculiar" with "unusual", emphasizing that the request deviates from the norm.

A curious request

Substitutes "peculiar" with "curious", suggesting the request is intriguing or raises questions.

An uncommon request

Substitutes "peculiar" with "uncommon", indicating the request is not frequently made.

An atypical request

Substitutes "peculiar" with "atypical", indicating the request deviates from what is typical or expected.

A remarkable request

Replaces "peculiar" with "remarkable", highlighting the request's noteworthy or exceptional nature.

A singular request

Substitutes "peculiar" with "singular", highlighting the unique and distinct nature of the request.

A bizarre request

Replaces "peculiar" with "bizarre", emphasizing the request's strangeness to an extreme degree.

A weird request

Replaces "peculiar" with "weird", suggesting the request is strange or unsettling.

FAQs

What does "a peculiar request" mean?

The phrase "a peculiar request" refers to a request that is strange, unusual, or odd. It suggests that the request deviates from what is normal or expected.

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

You can use "a peculiar request" in a sentence like this: "She made "a peculiar request" for a meeting at midnight, which caught everyone off guard."

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

You can use alternatives like "an odd request", "a strange request", or "an unusual request" depending on the context.

Is "peculiar" a negative word in "a peculiar request"?

Not necessarily. While "peculiar" can sometimes imply something negative or suspicious, in the context of ""a peculiar request"" it often simply means that the request is unusual or noteworthy, without necessarily having a negative connotation.