curious selection

USAGE SUMMARY

"curious selection" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing a choice or assortment that is unusual or intriguing. An example could be: "The gallery featured a curious selection of modern art pieces." Alternative expressions include "unusual choice" and "interesting assortment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

What a curious selection.

The New York Times

A Curious Selection of Affectionate Verse.

The New York Times - Books

"Rock You Like a Hurricane," a curious selection, blared from speakers.

The New York Times - Sports

There, with Mr. Wegman's eager yet deadpan conceptualism in mind, they have assembled a curious selection of contemporary paintings and drawings (and the odd sculpture).

The New York Times - Arts

Yet on paper the program Mr. Spano planned for the Atlanta Symphony's concert at Carnegie Hall on Saturday night looked like a curious selection of pieces.

The New York Times - Arts

But there will be frustration in Wenger's readiness to admit his team lacked focus in those opening two fixtures, not least when neither result was helped by some curious selection decisions by the manager himself.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Brendan Rodgers must take his share of the blame for a curious team selection against Basel.

The Guardian - Sport

The Atlanta Braves' Omar Infante -- previously best known for his curious All-Star selection -- could complicate things, too.

The New York Times

The author of "Bulb" and "The Tulip" has collected in THE CURIOUS GARDENER (Bloomsbury, $35) selections from 20-odd years' worth of essays published in the British newspaper The Independent.

The New York Times - Books

It caters to the area, serving up lattes to well-dressed executives; and it's a rabbit hole for the coffee-curious, offering an impressive selection of coffees brewed one cup at a time on a drip cone, a syphon or any of a number of tricked-out toys.

The New York Times

Rather than seat-back screens, the crew hand out portable media players with preloaded films - a decent selection including The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Slumdog Millionaire.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "curious selection", ensure the context clearly establishes why the selection is considered curious. This might involve highlighting unexpected combinations, unusual criteria, or surprising inclusions.

Common error

Avoid using "curious selection" simply to sound sophisticated. If the selection is not genuinely unusual or noteworthy, a simpler term like "diverse selection" or "interesting choice" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "curious selection" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "curious" acts as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "selection". The phrase indicates a particular set or assortment of items, choices, or individuals that are noteworthy for being unusual, peculiar, or intriguing, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "curious selection" describes an assortment or group marked by unusual or intriguing qualities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions grammatically as a noun phrase with "curious" modifying "selection". While generally neutral in tone, it's more frequently observed in formal contexts such as News & Media. To enhance your writing, ensure the context adequately explains the element of curiosity within the selection. Avoid using the phrase without genuine cause for intrigue; otherwise, opt for simpler alternatives like "interesting choice" or "unusual assortment". Ultimately, "curious selection" adds a layer of intrigue when appropriately applied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

peculiar choice

Replaces "curious" with "peculiar", emphasizing the odd or strange nature of the selection.

unusual assortment

Substitutes "curious" with "unusual" and "selection" with "assortment", highlighting the uncommon nature of the group.

strange collection

Replaces "curious" with "strange" and "selection" with "collection", focusing on the unexpected character of the gathering.

odd compilation

Uses "odd" instead of "curious" and "compilation" instead of "selection", stressing the unconventional nature of the assembled items.

remarkable array

Replaces "curious" with "remarkable" and "selection" with "array", emphasizing the notable nature of the chosen items.

singular group

Substitutes "curious" with "singular" and "selection" with "group", pointing out the unique nature of the items.

distinctive set

Replaces "curious" with "distinctive" and "selection" with "set", stressing the characteristic nature of the chosen items.

atypical mix

Uses "atypical" instead of "curious" and "mix" instead of "selection", highlighting the non-standard composition of the set.

intriguing combination

Replaces "curious" with "intriguing" and "selection" with "combination", emphasizing the captivating nature of the chosen items.

eccentric choice

Replaces "curious" with "eccentric", stressing the unconventional nature of the selection.

FAQs

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

You can use "curious selection" to describe a group of items or people that are unusual or unexpected, for example: "The museum displayed a curious selection of artifacts from different eras".

What can I say instead of "curious selection"?

You can use alternatives like "unusual assortment", "peculiar choice", or "strange collection" depending on the context.

Is "curious selection" formal or informal?

"Curious selection" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it is more commonly found in written or spoken language that aims for a slightly elevated tone. Using alternatives like "interesting choices" can be useful in more casual settings.

What makes a selection "curious"?

A selection is "curious" when it deviates from what is expected or typical, prompting interest or inquiry due to its unusual or unexpected nature. The "curiosity" might stem from the items themselves, the way they are combined, or the reason behind their "choice".