was curious about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was curious about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing interest or a desire to learn more about a particular subject or situation. Example: "She was curious about the new project and wanted to know more details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I was curious about that".

The New York Times

Richardson was curious about the picture, too.

The New Yorker

Roth, however, was curious about him.

The New Yorker

And that she was curious about it".

The New Yorker

Even Bill was curious about him.

The New Yorker

I was curious about his porn.

The New Yorker

She was curious about her mother.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

People are curious about that".

The New York Times

"I'm curious about you.

The New Yorker

I am curious about people.

The Guardian - Film

I am curious about this.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the level of formality required and choose alternative phrases like "was interested in" or "was intrigued by" if they better suit the context.

Common error

Avoid using "was curious about" when you are actually skeptical or critical of something. Curiosity implies an open mind, while skepticism suggests doubt or disapproval.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was curious about" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, expressing a state of being interested or inquisitive regarding a particular subject. It typically connects a subject with a feeling of curiosity, as supported by Ludwig AI. The examples show it is used to express interest in various subjects, from people to objects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was curious about" emerges as a versatile and frequently used expression for conveying interest and inquiry. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts underscore its reliability. Predominantly found in news and media, alongside academic sources, it bridges both formal and informal communication. For those seeking alternatives, "was interested in" or "was intrigued by" offer nuanced substitutes, depending on the desired emphasis. To enhance clarity, it's important to use "was curious about" to express a genuine interest in learning and avoid using it when expressing skepticism or criticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wanted to know more about

Directly expresses a desire for further information.

was interested in

Focuses more on the feeling of interest rather than the act of seeking information.

was inquisitive about

Emphasizes a questioning nature and a desire for knowledge.

was intrigued by

Suggests a sense of fascination or mystery.

felt curiosity toward

Highlights the emotion of curiosity rather than active investigation.

had an interest in

Indicates a pre-existing interest or inclination.

was eager to learn about

Stresses enthusiasm and a proactive approach to gaining knowledge.

took an interest in

Highlights the act of showing interest in something.

was drawn to

Implies an attraction or pull toward something.

had a question about

More specific, indicating a particular query or concern.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "was curious about"?

You can use alternatives like "was interested in", "was intrigued by", or "wanted to know more about" depending on the context.

How to use "was curious about" in a sentence?

Use "was curious about" to express a state of interest or inquiry. For example, "She was curious about the history of the building" or "He was curious about how the machine worked."

Which is correct, "was curious about" or "were curious about"?

"Was curious about" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "He was curious about the results"), while "were curious about" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They were curious about the new policy").

What's the difference between "was curious about" and "was nosy about"?

"Was curious about" implies a genuine interest in learning, while "was nosy about" suggests an inappropriate or intrusive interest in someone else's affairs.