Peculiar of

What is the peculiar characteristic of James Bond's colleagues? They don't have names, only letters (M, Q).

slocawber Do you think the following is acceptable?What is peculiar of James Bond's colleagues? They don't have names, but letters (M, Q).Thank you.

What about his other colleagues? The rest of the double O agents?

Ah! Yes, I do agree with you. I think my source chose the word 'colleagues' to simplify the whole thing.

slocawberAh! Yes, I do agree with you. I think my source chose the word 'colleagues' to simplify the whole thing.

In that case, the question might be better word as "What is the peculiar characteristic of, some of James Bond's colleagues?"

AnonymousIn that case, the question might be better word as "What is the peculiar characteristic of, some of James Bond's colleagues?"

The comma is incorrect.

slocawber Do you think the following is acceptable?What is peculiar of James Bond's colleagues? They don't have names, but letters (M, Q).Thank you.

"peculiar of" is incorrect. The easiest way to fix the sentence is this:

What is peculiar about James Bond's colleagues?

slocawberpeculiar of

I'd say 'peculiar to'.

CJ

CalifJim slocawberpeculiar ofI'd say 'peculiar to'.CJ

For me, "peculiar to" and "peculiar about" are both fine but mean different things. "peculiar to" means that no one else shares this property. "peculiar about" means that the property is strange or unusual. I assumed the latter meaning was intended, but I guess this is not totally clear.