but curiously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but curiously" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to introduce a statement that is surprising or unexpected, given the previous information. It can also indicate a sense of curiosity or interest in the topic. Example: The experiment was supposed to prove the theory, but curiously, the results were opposite to what was expected.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But curiously, almost none ever raised a paddle.

The New York Times - Arts

But curiously, these bear little relation to actual riskiness.

The Economist

I left feeling drained and shaken but curiously satisfied.

The New York Times - Travel

But curiously, there is a bit of vicarious enjoyment.

The New York Times

Kuchuk-Hanem's dancing was brutal and archaic, but curiously familiar.

The Guardian - Books

But curiously, no mention of the Sweaty Egg.

The New York Times - Tech

The result is an admirable but curiously flat John Adams.

The New York Times - Books

But curiously, Democratic voters aren't quite ready for the fun to end.

The Economist

But, curiously for an expert film actress, she is guilty here of oversignaling the thoughts within.

The New York Times

But, curiously enough, he says it may be better that way.

The New York Times

But curiously, great quality, or the lack thereof, was not taken into account.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but curiously" to introduce a contrasting point that also piques the reader's interest. It's effective for setting up unexpected twists or turns in your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "but curiously" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure and use alternative phrases to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but curiously" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses, introducing a sense of contrast while also highlighting an element of intrigue or surprise. As Ludwig AI states, it introduces an unexpected statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but curiously" is a conjunctive adverbial phrase used to introduce an element of surprise or unexpectedness while signaling a contrast. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and frequently used. It is versatile, appearing in news reports, scientific articles, and general observations, with a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. When employing the phrase, remember that overuse can diminish its impact. As a substitute, alternatives like "yet interestingly" or "however, oddly enough" may be considered to maintain variety and reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet interestingly

Replaces "but curiously" with a focus on the interesting aspect rather than pure surprise.

however, oddly enough

Emphasizes the odd or peculiar nature of the situation, similar to the curiosity implied in the original phrase.

strangely, though

Highlights the strangeness of the situation, maintaining a sense of unexpectedness.

oddly enough, however

Similar to "however, oddly enough", it emphasizes the odd nature of what follows.

in an unexpected turn

Focuses on the surprise element, presenting the information as a deviation from what was anticipated.

contrary to expectations

Directly states the contrast between what was expected and what actually happened.

it's strange, but

A more informal phrasing that still conveys the sense of something being peculiar or unusual.

on the other hand, surprisingly

Highlights the contrast with what was previously stated, adding an element of surprise.

conversely, with interest

Suggests an opposite view while expressing a level of interest or engagement.

despite this, oddly

Acknowledges a previous point before presenting something that seems strange or unusual in light of it.

FAQs

How can I use "but curiously" in a sentence?

Use "but curiously" to introduce a statement that is unexpected or surprising, given the preceding information. For instance, "The data suggested a decline, but curiously, sales figures increased."

What are some alternatives to "but curiously"?

You can use alternatives like "yet interestingly", "however, oddly enough", or "strangely, though" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always necessary to use a comma after "but curiously"?

Yes, it's generally recommended to use a comma after "but curiously" when it introduces a clause, as it acts as an introductory phrase. For example, "But curiously, the experiment yielded unexpected results."

What's the difference between "but curiously" and "however surprisingly"?

While both phrases introduce an element of surprise, "but curiously" implies a sense of intrigue or interest in the unexpected outcome, whereas "however surprisingly" simply emphasizes the unexpected nature of the event. Use "however surprisingly" when the surprise is the main focus.