curious time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "curious time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period that evokes interest or intrigue, often due to unusual or unexpected events. Example: "We are living in a curious time where technology and society are evolving at an unprecedented pace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

It was a curious time.

The Guardian

It's a curious time for The Enquirer to be soaring.

The New York Times

The Texas biomass boom comes at a curious time, however.

The New York Times

Yet Labour is embracing social democracy at a curious time.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's a curious time for young women," she says.

The Guardian

It seemed a curious time of year to be celebrating Camden in bloom.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

This production has a curious time-and-space relationship with Blur's current album, The Magic Whip.

The Guardian - Music

In the pre-multiplex days, when shorts were part of the movie house bill, things were a little different, and the Internet has the potential, as yet only partially realized, to connect filmmakers of modest means and ambitions with a curious, time-pressed audience.

The New York Times

I had walked through both Perth's Northbridge and a curious time-loop within the promenade piece You Once Said Yes, and experienced a deliberate, time-resistant replica of Billie Whitelaw's performance in Beckett's Not I... when performed – to Whitelaw's precise instructions – by Lisa Dwan.

The Guardian

The London Library is a curious time-warp business: it is a subscription library (that is, a private library, funded by its members, who pay an annual fee), a set-up that was common in the 19th century but has mostly disappeared.

The Guardian - Books

These are curious times for Chris Froome.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "curious time" to describe moments or periods marked by unusual or unexpected events, prompting interest or inquiry. For instance, "It's a "curious time" in politics, with rapid shifts in public opinion."

Common error

Avoid using "curious time" when a situation is simply difficult or challenging, rather than genuinely intriguing or unusual. A situation can be difficult without being interesting. "Challenging time" or "difficult period" might be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "curious time" functions primarily as an adjective-noun combination, where "curious" modifies "time". It describes a specific period or moment characterized by unusual or intriguing qualities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its role in evoking interest or intrigue.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "curious time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a period marked by unusual, interesting, or perplexing events. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its validity and offers helpful context. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase serves to highlight the intriguing nature of a specific moment. When writing, be mindful of using it accurately to reflect genuine intrigue rather than mere difficulty. Consider alternatives like "strange period" or "peculiar moment" to capture similar nuances. Keep in mind that the phrase may sound formal in some contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

peculiar moment

Substitutes "curious" with "peculiar", emphasizing the odd or unusual nature of the moment.

strange period

Replaces both words with synonyms, focusing on the unusual or odd quality of the time.

odd era

Uses "odd" instead of "curious", highlighting the strangeness of the era.

interesting juncture

Shifts the focus to the point in time, emphasizing its intriguing nature.

remarkable phase

Highlights the noteworthiness and distinctiveness of the period.

notable stage

Emphasizes the importance and visibility of the time as a developmental point.

intriguing interval

Focuses on the captivating or fascinating nature of the specific time frame.

singular occasion

Highlights the uniqueness and infrequency of the event or time.

exceptional duration

Emphasizes the outstanding or unusual quality of the length of time.

uncommon epoch

Highlights the infrequency and distinctiveness of the extended period.

FAQs

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

Use "curious time" to describe a period that evokes interest or intrigue, often due to unusual or unexpected events. For instance, "It was a "curious time" in the art world, with the emergence of entirely new movements."

What's a good alternative to "curious time"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "strange period", "peculiar moment", or "interesting juncture" to express a similar sentiment.

Is "curious time" formal or informal?

"Curious time" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it often appears in news and media discussing current events or trends.

When is it inappropriate to use "curious time"?

Avoid using "curious time" when describing events that are simply negative or challenging without any element of intrigue or unusualness. Words like "difficult" or "trying" might be more accurate in those situations.