it seems curious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems curious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a sense of wonder or intrigue about a situation or observation. Example: "It seems curious that so many people are drawn to the same unusual hobby."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"It seems curious as a marketing tool," he said.

The New York Times

It seems curious that no one had made the connection earlier.

The New York Times - Arts

Given this information, it seems curious that, this week, the dead seem to be rejecting the living.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Commuters from the nearby PATH station walk slower, it seems, curious about the likes of purplish green beans and gooseberries.

The New York Times

But it seems curious that given how bad things are, analysts should be consistently underestimating things like jobless claims and the drop in retail sales.

The New Yorker

It seems curious, for someone whose reputation stood so high for so long among metropolitan foodistas, that this never translated into media stardom and commercial riches.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

The movie, presumably set in the present day, offers no relevant political context for this latest incarnation of the Red Threat, nor does it seem curious about what motivates its various spies, assassins and rogue CIA spooks.

The Guardian - Film

It seemed curious, considering that she has a degree in communications.

The New York Times - Sports

Just a few years ago, it seemed curious that an omniscient, omnipotent God wouldn't smite tormentors like Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and Sam Harris.

The New York Times

With that in mind, it seemed curious that Olazábal omitted García, Luke Donald and, particularly, Ian Poulter from yesterday afternoon's play.

The Guardian - Sport

It seemed curious, however, to name a restaurant Polpo (octopus in Italian) and serve only one octopus dish.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems curious" when you want to express a gentle sense of surprise or mild questioning about something that you find interesting or unexpected. It's a good way to introduce a point that deviates from the norm without being overly critical.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "it seems curious" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for stronger, more direct phrasing to convey your observations with greater impact and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems curious" functions as an introductory expression, setting up an observation or statement that the speaker finds somewhat surprising or noteworthy. Ludwig AI confirms it's a valid and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it seems curious" is a versatile expression used to convey mild surprise or intrigue, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to introduce observations that deviate from the expected. While grammatically sound, writers should consider the register of their writing, opting for stronger phrasing in highly formal contexts. Alternatives such as "it seems strange" or "it seems odd" offer subtle variations in tone. Effective usage involves employing it to introduce intriguing observations without being overly critical, keeping in mind the potential for overuse in academic or formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears curious

A more formal way of expressing the same sentiment.

it seems strange

Emphasizes the odd or unusual nature of something.

it seems odd

Similar to "it seems strange", but can also imply something is unexpected.

it seems peculiar

Highlights the distinctiveness or individuality of something.

it seems unusual

Focuses on the uncommon nature of something.

it strikes me as curious

Adds a personal perspective to the observation.

it seems remarkable

Suggests something is worthy of attention or admiration.

it seems surprising

Emphasizes the unexpectedness of a situation.

it seems intriguing

Implies something is fascinating and worth exploring further.

it seems noteworthy

Highlights the importance of something.

FAQs

What does "it seems curious" mean?

The phrase "it seems curious" expresses a feeling of mild surprise or intrigue about something. It suggests that something is interesting because it's unexpected or deviates from what's considered normal.

How can I use "it seems curious" in a sentence?

You can use "it seems curious" to introduce an observation or question. For example: "It seems curious that the store is always closed on Tuesdays."

What are some alternatives to "it seems curious"?

Alternatives include "it seems strange", "it seems odd", or "it seems unusual depending on the specific nuance you want to convey".

Is "it seems curious" formal or informal?

The phrase "it seems curious" is generally considered neutral in formality. While suitable for most contexts, more direct phrasing may be preferable in highly formal or academic writing.