peculiar reason

USAGE SUMMARY

'peculiar reason' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe an unusual or unexpected reason for something. For example: "She said I couldn't borrow her car, citing some peculiar reason about needing it for an emergency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Peter must have seen him do this, but for some peculiar reason he does not tell on him.

The New Yorker

There's an O. Henry coda: the strange, small revelation that he'd become a dentist for the most peculiar reason, inspired by a TV Christmas special.

The New Yorker

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, for example, said the fight over the debt ceiling was good for Democrats, but for a peculiar reason.

The New York Times

First, for some peculiar reason, the live image in the viewfinder freezes for half a second as your finger pushes down the shutter.

The New York Times - Tech

It was supposed to read "What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger" – a popular paraphrase of the Friedrich Nietzsche quote – written, for some peculiar reason, in Hebrew.

The Guardian - Sport

This sentence, incidentally, puts the quietus on the ridiculous word "platonic" that for some peculiar reason still crops up in discussion of the story.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Another is that both parties, for their own peculiar reasons, are still tentative about their agendas.

The New York Times

The equivalent shift in Hollywood movies didn't happen until the nineteen-eighties, for a few peculiar reasons.

The New Yorker

But in this case, the "what if" will linger because Woods's march toward Jack Nicklaus's 18 career major championship victories remains stalled at 14, and perhaps for one of the most peculiar reasons — an unintentional self-imposed penalty.

The New York Times - Sports

A counter-example to this claim would be a case where, for peculiar reasons no doubt, the fact that one has promised to do something is either no reason to do it or even a reason not to do it.

SEP

Many existing bioenergy production areas in Austria and Germany are found in places that are very suitable for other purposes (such as agriculture or urban development) or were selected for their own peculiar reasons.

Biomass and Bioenergy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "peculiar reason", ensure the context provides sufficient information for the reader to understand why the reason is considered unusual or noteworthy.

Common error

Avoid using "peculiar reason" too frequently, as it can lose its impact. Consider using synonyms like "strange rationale" or "uncommon explanation" to maintain variety in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "peculiar reason" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an object or complement within a sentence. It describes a specific rationale that is considered unusual, strange, or odd. The examples in Ludwig indicate its use across various contexts to highlight unexpected justifications.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "peculiar reason" is a noun phrase used to denote an unusual or unexpected rationale. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's considered grammatically correct and suitable for various writing contexts, although it appears most frequently in news and media. When using this phrase, consider providing context to explain why the reason is considered "peculiar". While effective, avoid overuse and explore synonyms like "strange rationale" to enhance the flow and variety of your writing. Ludwig AI provides valuable insights into its proper usage and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strange rationale

Replaces "peculiar" with "strange", emphasizing the oddity of the reasoning.

odd justification

Substitutes "reason" with "justification", focusing on the act of defending or explaining something odd.

uncommon explanation

Uses "uncommon" instead of "peculiar" and "explanation" in place of "reason", highlighting the infrequency and the way something is made understandable.

unique rationale

Replaces "peculiar" with "unique", stressing the distinctiveness of the reason.

distinctive cause

Substitutes "reason" with "cause", focusing on something that produces an effect or result with a distinctive aspect.

unconventional motive

Uses "unconventional" instead of "peculiar" and "motive" in place of "reason", emphasizing the non-traditional inspiration.

singular basis

Replaces "peculiar" with "singular", focusing on the one-of-a-kind foundation or support for something.

exceptional ground

Substitutes "reason" with "ground", focusing on the exceptional foundation or basis for something.

extraordinary pretext

Uses "extraordinary" instead of "peculiar" and "pretext" in place of "reason", emphasizing the unusual excuse or justification.

atypical incentive

Replaces "reason" with "incentive", focusing on the unusual motivation or encouragement for action.

FAQs

How can I use "peculiar reason" in a sentence?

You can use "peculiar reason" to introduce an explanation that is unusual or unexpected. For example: "He refused to attend the meeting, citing some "strange rationale" about needing to alphabetize his sock drawer".

What's a less formal alternative to "peculiar reason"?

For a less formal alternative, you could use phrases like "weird reason" or "odd reason". These options maintain the sense of something being unusual while using more casual language.

Is it always necessary to explain why a reason is "peculiar" when using the phrase?

While not always necessary, providing context to illustrate why the reason is considered "uncommon" or "peculiar" can enhance the reader's understanding and engagement.

How does "peculiar reason" differ from "specific reason"?

"Peculiar reason" implies that the reason is unusual or odd, whereas "specific reason" simply indicates that the reason is particular or detailed. You might use "specific reason" when needing to highlight a distinct "uncommon explanation".