curiously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "curiously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of intrigue or interest regarding a particular situation or fact. Example: "Curiously, the results of the experiment were not what we expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hundreds of furry little bodies ambled among us, looking curiously at the human interlopers.

The Guardian - Travel

Mohamedou Ould Slahi: "smart, witty, garrulous, and curiously undamaged" Another team inside the plane dragged me and fastened me on a small and straight seat.

The Guardian

Curiously, in fact, it's almost exclusively women who are policed with the shouts of "it's worse elsewhere so think yourself lucky".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Curiously, pro-Russian sympathies are growing, as reactions to the crisis in Ukraine tend to demonstrate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Curiously, one of Portugal's big hopes for the future is Gonçalo Paciência, the son of Domingos, now 19 years old and playing in Porto's reserve team.

The Guardian - Sport

Curiously, Pietersen was then offered a position on an advisory board for England's one-day side; unsurprisingly, that sweetener to the bitterest of pills was rejected.

The Guardian - Sport

Or indeed a bank – a fate to which Otley's pubs are, curiously, particularly vulnerable.

The Guardian

It's a curiously exhilarating experience - until we pass the first of several road accidents that we are to witness.

The Guardian - Travel

In the two and a-half years since Chelsea forked out £17m to bring the then 18-year-old from Anderlecht to Stamford Bridge, the Belgium striker has developed into one of the most feared in the Premier League, even if José Mourinho remains curiously unconvinced.

The Guardian - Sport

"With John, just say, 'Oh, you must have loved your time up in Scotland playing for Celtic.' Then you've got a 10-minute answer.'" In the event, when I do meet the pundits in Aston Villa's curiously swish dressing room, Hartson brings up Celtic before I even get the chance to ask about it, so it all goes out of the window and we talk about punditry instead.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We're living longer, healthier lives than any previous generation but, curiously, worrying about ageing younger," writes Anne Karpf, writer, sociologist and author of How to Age. "This means that we are going to be worried for an awfully long time".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "curiously" to introduce an observation that might seem unexpected or contradictory, adding a layer of intrigue to your writing.

Common error

While "curiously" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise adverb might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "interestingly" or "notably" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "curiously" is to act as an adverb, modifying a verb, adjective, or entire clause. Ludwig shows that it typically introduces an element of surprise or intrigue. This is evident from examples where "curiously" prefaces unexpected observations or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

As Ludwig AI confirms, the adverb "curiously" is grammatically correct and frequently used to introduce an element of surprise or intrigue. It serves to signal that the subsequent information deviates from the expected norm. While its register is generally neutral, it is most commonly found in News & Media contexts. For alternatives, consider options like "interestingly" or "surprisingly", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to avoid overuse in highly formal writing, opting for more precise adverbs when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strangely enough

Emphasizes the odd or unexpected nature of a situation, similar to "curiously" but with a stronger sense of surprise.

oddly enough

Highlights the peculiar nature of a fact or event, akin to "curiously" but with a focus on the bizarreness.

interestingly

Draws attention to a fact or situation that is engaging or noteworthy, similar to the inquisitive aspect of "curiously".

surprisingly

Indicates that something is unexpected, similar to "curiously" in highlighting something that deviates from the norm.

peculiarly

Stresses the distinct or unusual nature of something, echoing the sense of "curiously" in its focus on the atypical.

remarkably

Highlights the noteworthy or exceptional nature of a fact or event, conveying a sense of wonder akin to "curiously".

in an unusual manner

Highlights the deviation from the norm, offering a more descriptive alternative to "curiously".

in an odd way

Focuses on the strangeness of an action or event, mirroring the surprise element in "curiously".

as it may seem

Introduces a statement that might appear strange or unexpected, providing a similar function to "curiously" in setting up a surprising revelation.

it's peculiar that

Explicitly introduces the peculiar nature of a situation, similar to "curiously" in drawing attention to something unusual.

FAQs

How can I use "curiously" in a sentence?

"Curiously" is typically used at the beginning of a sentence or clause to introduce an observation that seems strange or unexpected. For example, "Curiously, the experiment yielded results opposite to what we predicted."

What can I say instead of "curiously"?

You can use alternatives like "interestingly", "oddly enough", or "surprisingly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "curiously"?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with "curiously". It functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the entire sentence, indicating a sense of surprise or intrigue regarding the statement that follows.

What's the difference between "curiously" and "suspiciously"?

"Curiously" implies a sense of wonder or intrigue, while "suspiciously" suggests doubt or distrust. For example, "The cat looked at the new toy curiously" indicates interest, whereas "The cat looked at the stranger suspiciously" implies caution.