is rather peculiar

USAGE SUMMARY

"is rather peculiar" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something in a way that implies it is strange, odd, or unusual. For example: "The way the bike is balanced on the tightrope is rather peculiar."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In fact, his appearance is rather peculiar.

The Guardian - Books

It is trivial to add an operation achieving full abstraction, but this operation is rather peculiar.

Cornell University

While quirky little "lifestyle events" (where as much attention is given to the quality of the organic cider as to the music line-up) have become the summer norm in the UK, to Americans, the concept is rather peculiar.

The Guardian - Travel

To think of these fundamental life commitments as choices is rather peculiar, perhaps a distortion created by the contemporary emphasis on choice as being at the heart of freedom.

The Guardian

One of the things that is rather peculiar is that Hollywood people always got divorced, unlike more "normal" people, who in the 1940s and 1950s were less prone to that then they are today.

HuffPost

The discovery of a plasmid system in R. felis is rather peculiar since no other bacteria in the Rickettsiales (Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Neorickettsia, and Wolbachia) are known to harbor plasmids based on their available completed genome sequences.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It was rather peculiar".

The Guardian

"I think it's rather peculiar," Paul Ryan, the Vice-Presidential nominee, said in one segment.

The New Yorker

The features of nonuniform shrinkage are rather peculiar: (1) Up to 40%60%% conversion, the particle shrank uniformly.

Combustion and Flame

She said: "It's rather peculiar to have a criminal offence on our statute books but where it's actually quite straightforward to access assisted suicide provided you travel to Switzerland to do so.

The Guardian

People that have--that wear seat belts do sustain injuries that are rather peculiar to them, but they are usually not severe, and as a result you can sort of catalog patients with this particular injury depending upon whether they are wearing seat belts or not.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is rather peculiar" to introduce a surprising or unexpected element, prompting further explanation or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "is rather peculiar" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes come across as less precise than more specific descriptive language. Consider using alternatives like "is notably atypical" or "is distinctly curious" for a more refined tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather peculiar" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It modifies a subject, describing it as odd, strange, or unusual. Ludwig provides examples from various sources, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Academia

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is rather peculiar" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something as odd or unusual. According to Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While versatile, it's important to consider the level of formality required by the context, as more precise alternatives may be preferable in highly formal settings. The phrase serves to highlight the unexpected nature of a subject, inviting further attention or analysis. It's a useful addition to your vocabulary for expressing mild surprise or curiosity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is quite strange

Changes the intensity and word choice while conveying a similar meaning of something being odd.

is somewhat unusual

Replaces "rather peculiar" with a milder expression, indicating something is not entirely typical.

is a bit odd

Uses a more informal and concise way to express that something is strange.

is fairly eccentric

Indicates a deviation from the norm, suggesting something is slightly unconventional or whimsical.

is distinctly curious

Highlights the intriguing nature of something, emphasizing that it provokes interest or inquiry.

is notably atypical

Emphasizes that something deviates from the standard or expected type.

is remarkably bizarre

Conveys a stronger sense of strangeness or oddity, suggesting something is highly unusual and surprising.

is strikingly unconventional

Indicates that something sharply contrasts with established norms or traditions.

is oddly specific

Highlights a level of detail that is unexpected or unusual, implying a surprising focus.

is surprisingly abnormal

Points out something out of the ordinary.

FAQs

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

You can use "is rather peculiar" to describe something that is odd, strange, or unusual. For example: "The way the cat stares at the wall "is rather peculiar"."

What's a more formal alternative to "is rather peculiar"?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives such as "is notably atypical", "is distinctly curious", or "is somewhat unusual".

Is there a difference between "is rather peculiar" and "is very peculiar"?

"Is rather peculiar" and "is very peculiar" are similar, but "is very peculiar" suggests a stronger degree of strangeness. "Is rather peculiar" implies a milder level of oddity.

Can "is rather peculiar" be used in academic writing?

Yes, "is rather peculiar" can be used in academic writing, but it should be used judiciously. In some contexts, more precise or formal language might be preferred. For instance, depending on what you are trying to express, consider if alternatives such as "is distinctly curious" or "is notably atypical" would be more accurate.