serious curiosity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious curiosity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a deep or intense interest in a particular subject or topic. Example: "Her serious curiosity about the universe led her to pursue a career in astrophysics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When we hear the question "How does he smell?" it seems as if it is a serious query, an expression of serious curiosity about canine anatomy and its mutations.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Then try to figure out why anyone with a serious intellectual curiosity would give a moment's attention to this clown.

Huffington Post

It is not a dictionary in the usual sense; rather it is a hodge-podge encyclopedia of intellectual curiosities, serious argument on a variety of topics, salacious stories, exacting textual scholarship, and much more that drew a readership hardly less diverse than its contents.

SEP

Narrated by David Lynch and featuring everything from pyrotechnic sculpture to submarine choreography, the film teams Gréaud's freewheeling curiosity with serious conceptual rationale, and results in a collaborative work as scientifically progressive as it is aesthetically intriguing.

The New York Times

Jonathan Swift (1667 1745) reasserted humanistic values in a broad-based attack on contemporary institutions, and in Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646 1716) can be found the serious intention and multifarious curiosity that characterized humanism at its best.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At least until he meets Sara Kimoto, a character who flits in and out of the narrative as Tsukuru's first potentially serious girlfriend, but whose curiosity about his odd past and oddly empty present is the catalyst for the retrospective journey of self-discovery he reluctantly undertakes.

The Guardian - Books

Now, with all the information that's available on the Internet about real estate for sale — street addresses, maps, directions, even satellite photos — it's easy to make a solo reconnaissance mission, whether driven by mere curiosity or serious shopping intent.

The New York Times - Travel

The Biden Agenda Why Joe Biden Should Run Why Biden Would Be a Serious Contender Atul Gawande: Curiosity and What Equality Really Means Trump's Lawyers Argue That He Cannot Be Impeached Because He Was Never Actually Elected How Pusha T's "The Story of Adidon" Viciously Undercuts Drake's Celebrity Subscribe to The New Yorkerfor only $1 a week.Plus, get a free tote.

The New Yorker

Communists, Trotskyites and the New Anti-Capitalist Party are treated not as curiosities, but serious talk-show guests.In this section An endless war Leave them kids alone Out of the shadows It takes one to know one Poland's pride Europe's dark secret ReprintsWhy is France such an outlier?

The Economist

It was no serious matter, but aroused the curiosity of the judge who gave her a little talk, congratulating her upon sticking without compromise.

The New Yorker

There she was, in the middle of an explanation of how important it is for would-be authors to focus — to really commit to putting pen to paper every day — when curiosity over a serious-sounding phone conversation her husband was having across their sunlit living room got the better of her.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you aim to describe a character's motivation in exploring a difficult or complex subject, using "serious curiosity" helps to emphasize their commitment and intellectual depth.

Common error

Avoid using "serious curiosity" when a lighter, less intense interest is meant. "Casual interest" or simply "curiosity" may be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious curiosity" functions as a noun phrase, where "serious" modifies the noun "curiosity", indicating a deep and genuine interest. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase expresses a profound interest in a subject.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serious curiosity" denotes a profound and genuine interest that motivates deep exploration and understanding. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used to express intense interest in a subject. While not frequently used, it is appropriate for formal or neutral contexts, especially when describing intellectual or academic pursuits. Alternatives such as "deep interest" or "profound inquisitiveness" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Using "serious curiosity" effectively can elevate your writing by accurately portraying a character's motivation or the depth of an inquiry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profound inquisitiveness

Highlights the depth of the inquisitive nature.

deep interest

Focuses on the intensity of the interest rather than the inquisitiveness.

intense fascination

Emphasizes the captivating nature of the subject of interest.

earnest inquiry

Stresses the sincerity and purposefulness of the investigation.

keen interest

A more general term for strong interest, less intense than "serious curiosity".

genuine thirst for knowledge

Highlights the desire to learn and understand.

focused exploration

Highlights the concentrated nature of the exploratory activity.

intellectual hunger

Presents the curiosity as a strong, driving need for intellectual fulfillment.

dedicated investigation

Focuses on the commitment to exploring a topic thoroughly.

thoughtful consideration

Implies a careful and reflective approach to understanding something.

FAQs

How can I use "serious curiosity" in a sentence?

You can use "serious curiosity" to describe someone's profound interest in a subject. For example: "Her serious curiosity about the universe led her to study astrophysics."

What's a good substitute for "serious curiosity"?

Alternatives to "serious curiosity" include "deep interest", "profound inquisitiveness", or "intense fascination", depending on the context.

Is "serious curiosity" the same as "casual interest"?

No, "serious curiosity" implies a deeper, more committed level of interest than "casual interest". The former suggests a genuine desire to understand, while the latter might be more fleeting.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "serious curiosity"?

It is appropriate to use "serious curiosity" when you want to emphasize the depth and sincerity of someone's interest, particularly in intellectual or academic pursuits. It's also suitable when the interest drives significant effort or investigation.