As startling as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "As startling as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare something to another thing that is equally surprising or shocking. Example: "The news was as startling as the sudden change in weather that caught everyone off guard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it may take something as startling as a totalitarian new voice saying "You've got mail" -- Charlton Heston's, perhaps -- to wake the country up.

The New York Times

It's almost as startling as the image of a tiger bashing a barrel containing one of Marshall's sons off a high deck into a pond.

The Guardian - Film

The change was as startling as a card trick.

The New Yorker

Their collapse was nearly as startling as the Giants'.

The New York Times - Sports

It is as startling as it is delightful.

The New York Times - Food

What remains the same from future to future is often as startling as what's different.

The New York Times - Books

The occasional gunshots are as startling as a sudden crack across the kneecap.

The New Yorker

It is as startling as Ehret's brewery: It could accommodate a thousand patrons.

The New York Times - Arts

Aside from his one splendid inning, Lakman's strikeout totals were never as startling as Montgomery's.

The New York Times - Sports

While oversize, the domesticated Columbus statue is not as startling as I thought it would be.

The New York Times - Arts

On reflection, these figures are not as startling as they seem.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as startling as", ensure that the comparison is clear and relevant to the context. The element being compared should genuinely evoke a sense of surprise or shock.

Common error

Avoid using "as startling as" when the situation is merely surprising, but not genuinely shocking or unexpected. Overusing it can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as startling as" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something by likening its level of surprise or shock to that of another thing. This is evident in the numerous examples provided by Ludwig, where different events or situations are compared based on their startling nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Books

15%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Opinion

5%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as startling as" serves as a potent comparative adjective phrase to highlight significant surprise or shock. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, appearing most commonly in news and media, books and arts related articles. It has a neutral register, and it's important to use the comparison precisely to avoid diminishing its impact. By exploring related phrases like "equally astonishing as" and understanding its appropriate context, writers can effectively use "as startling as" to emphasize the unexpected and intense nature of described events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Equally astonishing as

Replaces "startling" with "astonishing", emphasizing the magnitude of surprise.

Just as surprising as

Substitutes "startling" with "surprising", focusing on the unexpected nature of the event.

Just as astonishing as

Highlights the amazement caused, replacing "startling" with "astonishing".

No less shocking than

Uses "shocking" instead of "startling", highlighting the potentially disturbing aspect of the surprise.

As unexpected as

Focuses on the lack of anticipation, replacing "startling" with "unexpected".

Every bit as stunning as

Replaces "startling" with "stunning", suggesting a more positive or impressive surprise.

Quite as remarkable as

Emphasizes the unusual or noteworthy nature of the surprise, replacing "startling" with "remarkable".

Equally as flabbergasting as

Uses "flabbergasting" instead of "startling", which describes the quality of causing great surprise or astonishment.

Comparably astounding to

Replaces "startling" with "astounding", formalizing the tone and denoting a great surprise.

On par with the shock of

Changes the entire structure to emphasize a similar level of shock, using "on par with".

FAQs

How can I use "as startling as" in a sentence?

Use "as startling as" to compare something unexpected or shocking to something else. For example, "The sudden plot twist was "as startling as" a jump scare in a horror movie".

What are some alternatives to "as startling as"?

You can use alternatives such as "equally astonishing as", "just as surprising as", or "no less shocking than" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "as startling as" and "as surprising as"?

While both phrases indicate something unexpected, ""as startling as"" suggests a greater degree of shock or alarm compared to "as surprising as". "Startling" implies a sudden, often unsettling surprise.

When is it appropriate to use "as startling as" in writing?

Use "as startling as" when you want to emphasize the shock or surprise caused by something, particularly if it's unexpected or jarring. It's suitable for situations where the surprise is significant or unsettling.