that was intriguing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was intriguing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something captured your interest or curiosity in the past. Example: "The documentary on ancient civilizations was fascinating; that was intriguing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

On one hand designing for the Apple Watch was about displaying content that was intriguing and timely.

The Guardian

And a group of cocktail dresses crafted from shimming silk threads that slowly started to fray with the movement of the body evoked a broken femininity that was intriguing.

The New York Times

Newell Turner, the editor of Hamptons Cottages and Gardens, said that his magazine, for example, would not be interested in publishing an article about Rudolph and Judy Giuliani -- Hampton Style's most recent cover subjects -- unless they had a garden or a house that was intriguing.

The New York Times - Style

She was pretty in a traditional way, funny, charming, and had a sass to her that was intriguing.

Huffington Post

Though I wasn't as interested in standard HD sets -- which are nonetheless seriously impressive, like Toshiba's Smart TVs (pictured below), with their intricate blending of TV with the Internet, Skype, Facebook and such (something the AMPTP insisted during the last WGA strike was sooo far away), Samsung had one particular model that was intriguing.

Huffington Post

As a glimpse of what awaits, that was intriguing.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Yet it's the fringes of these Finnish hippopotami-things that is intriguing.

The Guardian - Books

It is a chess match that is intriguing on many levels and to many people.

The New York Times - Sports

He works in a disciplined, Precisionist style that is intriguing at first, even commanding.

The New Yorker

There are many details about a "mobility as a service" model that are intriguing to consider.

TechCrunch

But it is starting with the kernel of something that is intriguing.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was intriguing" to reflect on something in the past that sparked your curiosity or interest. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "intriguing" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "captivating" or "fascinating" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was intriguing" functions as a subjective comment or assessment. According to Ludwig, it is used to express past interest or curiosity, adding a layer of personal engagement with the subject.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was intriguing" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey past interest or curiosity. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is versatile and acceptable across various contexts, though more common in News & Media sources. While "intriguing" is a suitable word choice, writers should consider alternatives like "captivating" or "fascinating" to enhance their vocabulary. Use "that was intriguing" to reflect on past events or ideas that sparked your interest, adding a personal touch to your narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was captivating

Replaces "intriguing" with a stronger emphasis on holding attention.

that was fascinating

Focuses on the quality of being extremely interesting.

that struck me as interesting

Highlights a personal reaction of interest.

that sparked my curiosity

Emphasizes the generation of curiosity.

that was interesting to note

Highlights the noteworthiness of the subject.

that held my attention

Focuses on the ability to keep someone engaged.

that seemed curious

Emphasizes the odd or unusual nature of the subject.

that proved thought-provoking

Indicates the subject stimulated deeper thought.

that appeared remarkable

Stresses the exceptional or noteworthy aspect.

that was quite remarkable

Indicates the subject was notable or exceptional.

FAQs

How can I use "that was intriguing" in a sentence?

Use "that was intriguing" to express past interest or curiosity. For example, "The new theory was presented at the conference; that was intriguing."

What are some alternatives to "that was intriguing"?

You can use alternatives like "that was captivating", "that was fascinating", or "that was interesting depending on the context.

Is "that was intriguing" formal or informal?

"That was intriguing" is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "that was intriguing" and "that is intriguing"?

"That was intriguing" refers to something that sparked interest in the past, while "that is intriguing" refers to something currently interesting.