is rather curious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is rather curious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of intrigue or interest about a particular situation or subject. Example: "The way the events unfolded is rather curious, leaving many questions unanswered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And it is rather curious - or absurd, shall I say - to feel irrelevant as an individual at times when the very ones rendering you irrelevant so passionately argue for "the individual".

The Guardian - Opinion

True, but it is rather curious, then, that decades of communist and nationalist resistance, not to mention the thousands abducted and murdered by the Shah's secret police only drew out the masses after the megalomaniac sent his forces to the dusty city of Qom to beat up a few kids at a religious school and then kicked an old cleric out of the country.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is rather curious that it hasn't been brought up, but I would hope that thinking people have moved beyond that," said Peter McVay, of Atkinson, New Hampshire.

Huffington Post

Although we initially identified an interaction between UBC12 and Peforin-2 in a yeast two-hybrid screen, this result is rather curious as this NEDD8 conjugating enzyme is not thought to directly interact with CRL substrates.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The clinical picture was rather curious.

The New Yorker

AS BUSINESSES go, stock exchanges are rather curious.

The Economist

She asked him: 'What is to be done?' I have to admit I was rather curious myself.

The Guardian

And so, it's rather curious why HTC is pushing its first Android 3.x tab to retail at the end of Honeycomb's life cycle.

TechCrunch

Christians are rather curious to discover that we share the Old Testament.

Huffington Post

Romney's responses to questions about his 'unusual' (for a presidential wannabe) financial behavior are rather curious.

Huffington Post

This is rather embarrassing for readers and rather curious.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary. Although "is rather curious" is perfectly acceptable and correct in many contexts, be careful not to overuse it. Mix it up with terms like "intriguing", "peculiar", or "odd" to keep your writing fresh.

Common error

While "is rather curious" is grammatically correct, it might sound slightly informal or understated in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for stronger or more precise language, such as "is remarkably significant" or "presents a notable anomaly", to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather curious" typically functions as a predicate adjective modifying a subject. It expresses a mild degree of surprise or intrigue. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is rather curious" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate mild surprise or intrigue. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. While acceptable in general writing, it may be less suitable for highly formal academic works where stronger language is preferred. Consider alternatives like "is quite peculiar" or "is somewhat strange" to add variety to your writing. Avoid overuse, especially in formal contexts, and choose more precise language when a stronger emphasis is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is quite peculiar

Emphasizes the odd or unusual nature of something.

is somewhat strange

Highlights the atypical or unfamiliar aspect of a situation.

is fairly odd

Indicates something deviates from the norm to a noticeable degree.

is a bit unusual

Suggests a mild departure from the ordinary.

is mildly surprising

Focuses on the unexpected nature of something.

is slightly perplexing

Highlights the confusing or puzzling aspect of something.

is rather intriguing

Emphasizes the fascinating or captivating nature of something.

is kind of remarkable

Highlights the noteworthy or exceptional aspect of something.

is somewhat atypical

Suggests a deviation from a typical pattern or characteristic.

is fairly enigmatic

Emphasizes the mysterious or difficult-to-interpret nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "is rather curious" in a sentence?

You can use "is rather curious" to express a mild sense of intrigue or surprise about something. For example, "It "is rather curious" that the data doesn't align with our initial hypothesis."

What are some alternatives to "is rather curious"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "is quite intriguing", "is somewhat puzzling", or "is a bit unusual" instead of "is rather curious".

Is "is rather curious" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "is rather curious" may sound slightly informal for some highly formal contexts. Consider using more sophisticated or precise language like "is remarkably significant" or "presents a notable anomaly" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "is rather curious" and "is very curious"?

"Is rather curious" implies a milder level of surprise or intrigue compared to "is very curious". "Is very curious" suggests a stronger degree of interest or astonishment.