curious idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "curious idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an idea that is intriguing or unusual, often prompting further thought or discussion. Example: "She presented a curious idea about how to solve the city's traffic problems that caught everyone's attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

A curious idea perhaps, but an inspired one.

The Times

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

A store of value that fails to store value is a curious idea.

The Washington Post

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

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Calvin Beisner, of Knox Theological Seminary in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., puts forth a couple of curious ideas.

The New York Times - Arts

A fast and fluid technician at the piano with curious ideas -- like his new album of overlapping, refigured Ellingtonia -- the Frenchman rarely comes to play in the United States.

The New York Times - Arts

This is partly because Bilton has curious ideas about how to craft a sentence, and partly because his reporting is both too close to its subjects and too far away.

The New Yorker

The year had its share of curious ideas (right), from sequined dresses over jeans for day to the mixing of clothes by different designers to the revival of brash color, as in this ensemble of trash bags.

The New York Times - Style

He played lots of soft, stubby notes until they whirled around in a vortex; he moved in and out of the song's harmony with precision, turning clean, curious ideas into something very moving.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "curious idea", ensure the context clarifies whether the curiosity stems from genuine interest, skepticism, or a mix of both. This will help your audience understand your intended tone.

Common error

Avoid using "curious idea" when you actually mean to express strong agreement or disagreement. "Curious" implies a degree of uncertainty or interest, not necessarily approval.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "curious idea" functions as a noun phrase where "curious" modifies the noun "idea". It typically serves as a subject complement or object, describing the nature of a thought or concept. As Ludwig AI explains, its correctness is confirmed by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "curious idea" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to introduce a concept that sparks interest or seems somewhat unusual. It's commonly found in News & Media and academic contexts and is considered neutral in tone. While "curious idea" is generally applicable, writers should ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning, distinguishing between genuine curiosity and potential misinterpretations like agreement or strong disagreement. Alternatives like "intriguing concept" and "interesting notion" can offer nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intriguing concept

Changes the adjective to emphasize interest rather than oddity.

interesting notion

Replaces both words with synonyms that highlight intellectual engagement.

unusual thought

Substitutes "curious" with "unusual", focusing on the uncommon nature of the idea.

peculiar concept

Emphasizes the strangeness or oddness of the concept.

strange notion

Highlights the unfamiliar or odd nature of the idea.

odd thought

Uses a more informal term, "odd", to describe the idea.

remarkable idea

Suggests the idea is worthy of attention because it is exceptional.

noteworthy concept

Implies the concept is significant or deserves attention.

remarkable notion

Combines the emphasis of "remarkable" with the slightly more formal "notion".

striking idea

Focuses on the idea's ability to grab attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "curious idea" to describe a concept that is intriguing, unusual, or prompts further thought. For example, "She proposed a "curious idea" about urban farming."

What can I say instead of "curious idea"?

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

Is "curious idea" formal or informal?

The phrase "curious idea" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from synonyms like "remarkable idea".

What's the difference between "curious idea" and "peculiar idea"?

"Curious idea" suggests interest and intrigue, while "peculiar idea" implies strangeness or oddness. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize intrigue or strangeness.