for curiosity sake

USAGE SUMMARY

"for curiosity sake" is a correct expression that can be used in written English.
It is generally used when you're trying to explain or justify an action, usually done out of curiosity. For example, "I decided to go to the store for curiosity sake, even though I didn't need anything".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

So I'm not judging the snake or the coat, I'm just touching it for curiosity sake.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We move for curiosity's sake.

The New York Times

So where are people interested in meeting tourists, even if only for curiosity's sake?

The New York Times

For curiosity's sake, they are worth hearing out once, skeptically.

The New York Times - Arts

I don't know if having this information handy will help students and parents make better decisions, but if only for curiosity's sake, I recommend taking a look at the lists.

The New York Times

It is the whites — the judge and jury and a group of women gathered for curiosity's sake — who see into the anguished depths of a black woman's love, and acknowledge her dignity and her innocence.

The New Yorker

Upon applying for some reference material at a Philadelphia public library in order to do some special vacation work, a prep-school student of our acquaintance was told by the librarian, "It had better be a school question, because we don't give it out just for curiosity's sake".

The New Yorker

"We might," he has written, in "The Earth After Us" (2008), "include among them — for curiosity's sake and to keep our options open — a species or two of large naked rodent, living in caves, shaping rocks as primitive tools and wearing the skins of other mammals that they have killed and eaten".

The New Yorker

Unlike Bostrom, who supposes that our descendants will create simulated worlds for curiosity's sake, Hanson sees the business case for simulating people: instead of struggling to find a team of programmers, a company will be able to hire a single, brilliant em and then replicate her a million times.

The New Yorker

By Velda Poch and Burton Bernstein The New Yorker, January 2 , 1965P. 24 Upon applying for some reference material at a Philadelphia public library in order to do some special vacation work, a prep-school student of our acquaintance was told by the librarian, "It had better be a school question, because we don't give it out just for curiosity's sake".

The New Yorker

Yet purely for curiosity's sake this unusual, intermittently hypnotic quasi monster flick is worth checking out, at least until the initial "what is this?" effect wears off and it becomes as tiresome as listening to someone relate long-winded tales about nightmares or drug-induced exploits.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for curiosity sake" to justify actions or decisions that might seem unconventional or without immediate practical benefit. It adds a layer of intellectual honesty and acknowledges the value of exploration.

Common error

While acceptable, repeatedly using "for curiosity sake" can sound repetitive or informal in highly formal writing. Opt for stronger, more precise justifications when possible to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for curiosity sake" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the purpose or motivation behind an action. It specifies that the action is being done because of curiosity. Ludwig confirms this with real world examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for curiosity sake" is a grammatically sound phrase employed to rationalize actions driven by intellectual inquisitiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English. While not exceedingly common, it is accepted across diverse contexts like News & Media, Academia and Science. To enrich your writing, consider alternatives like "out of inquisitiveness" or "prompted by curiosity". Use "for curiosity sake" thoughtfully to highlight the value of exploration and intellectual honesty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of inquisitiveness

Replaces "curiosity's sake" with a single word indicating a curious nature.

prompted by curiosity

Emphasizes that curiosity is the instigating factor behind the action.

driven by a sense of inquiry

Highlights the investigative aspect of curiosity.

motivated by a thirst for knowledge

Focuses on the desire to learn as the primary driver.

simply to satisfy my interest

More direct and personal, emphasizing individual interest.

in the pursuit of understanding

Emphasizes that the action is part of a broader quest for comprehension.

just to explore

Simplifies the motivation to basic exploration.

with a desire to learn more

Highlights the intent to expand one's knowledge.

from a purely exploratory perspective

Focuses on the exploratory nature of the action, removing other potential motivations.

to see what would happen

Indicates a lack of specific goals, simply observing the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "for curiosity sake" in a sentence?

You can use "for curiosity sake" to justify an action motivated by curiosity. For example, "I decided to read that obscure book "for curiosity sake", even though it wasn't required for my course".

What are some alternatives to "for curiosity sake"?

Alternatives include "out of inquisitiveness", "prompted by curiosity", or "motivated by a thirst for knowledge". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "for curiosity's sake" formal or informal?

"For curiosity's sake" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. It's suitable for many contexts, but more formal writing might benefit from a more precise or sophisticated phrasing.

What's the difference between "for curiosity sake" and "out of boredom"?

"For curiosity sake" implies a genuine interest in learning or exploring something, even if the outcome is uncertain. "Out of boredom" suggests a lack of other engaging options, with curiosity being a secondary factor.