peculiar needs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "peculiar needs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe specific or unusual requirements that someone may have in various contexts, such as education, healthcare, or personal preferences. Example: "The program is designed to accommodate students with peculiar needs, ensuring that everyone receives the support they require."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"This community has peculiar needs," he says ruefully.

The Economist

I know how to meet them; I seem to divine Helen's peculiar needs.... Already people are taking a deep interest in Helen.

The New Yorker

The drama on the Democratic side comes from the palpable antipathy between Vice President Al Gore and former Senator Bill Bradley of New Jersey and from the peculiar needs of each candidate.

The New York Times

One could, in fact, make a strong case that Hewlett-Packard should understand the peculiar needs of both consumers and workers better than the likes of Apple or Nokia.

The New York Times

But Mr. Bloomberg, at a news conference on Tuesday announcing the selection, called Nissan's bid "far and away the best," and said the city chose the manufacturer that could provide the most reliable vehicle "that meets our city's very peculiar needs".

The New York Times

A few extra additions would have improved life, but remain absent: all punctuation remains on a secondary screen (not even a solitary full stop or comma is close at hand) and the inability to customise the keyboard could prove irritating for those who have peculiar needs.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

This is a particular challenge in summer, when vacationing visitors want to enjoy themselves as well as be educated... "Most Americans have this peculiar need to be pleased by their past," said David Blight, one of the seminar's two instructors.

The New Yorker

Debt-Equity Ratio: Each industry has its peculiar need for debt.

Forbes

The non-relational, proprietary system was designed internally to fulfill Google's peculiar need for access to massive amounts of data at very high speeds (millions of read/writes per second).

TechCrunch

I felt welcomed by everyone here, whereas back in Europe people are skeptical about what you are doing and there is a peculiar need to label everything.

Vice

Unless there is a peculiar need for our facilities, we do not consider admission of women to the graduate program here".

CBE Life Sciences Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing requirements that deviate from the norm, use "peculiar needs" to add a touch of specificity, emphasizing that these needs may require a tailored approach.

Common error

Avoid using "peculiar needs" in highly formal or professional settings where a more neutral term like "specific requirements" or "unique needs" might be better received. The term "peculiar" can sometimes imply strangeness or oddity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "peculiar needs" functions as a noun phrase, where 'peculiar' modifies the noun 'needs'. It identifies requirements that are unusual, specific, or distinct. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "peculiar needs" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe requirements that are specific, unusual, or tailored to a particular context. As indicated by Ludwig, its use spans across news, scientific, and business domains. While generally neutral, caution should be exercised in highly formal settings where alternatives like "specific requirements" may be more suitable. It is important to consider the audience and context when choosing between "peculiar needs" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unique needs

Emphasizes the distinctiveness and individuality of the requirements.

special needs

Highlights the necessity for particular attention or resources.

specific needs

Focuses on the precise and detailed nature of the requirements.

particular needs

Indicates that the requirements are distinct and tailored to a specific situation.

distinctive needs

Stresses the characteristic features that set the requirements apart.

exceptional needs

Underlines the extraordinary or unusual nature of the requirements.

unusual needs

Points out the uncommon or atypical aspect of the requirements.

singular needs

Highlights the uniqueness and individuality of the requirements.

idiosyncratic needs

Focuses on the quirky and individualistic nature of the requirements.

characteristic needs

Emphasizes the typical or representative requirements for a particular group or situation.

FAQs

How can I appropriately use "peculiar needs" in a sentence?

Use "peculiar needs" to describe requirements that are specific, unusual, or tailored to a particular context. For example, "The program is designed to address the "unique needs" of each student."

What are some alternatives to "peculiar needs" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "special needs", "specific needs", or "unique needs". The best choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a negative connotation associated with using "peculiar needs"?

While "peculiar" can sometimes imply strangeness, in the context of "peculiar needs", it often simply highlights the specific or unusual nature of the requirements. However, be mindful of the audience and context to ensure it's well-received.

When should I avoid using the phrase "peculiar needs"?

Avoid using "peculiar needs" in formal or highly sensitive contexts where a more neutral or positive term like "individual needs" or "specific requirements" would be more appropriate.