As surprising as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as surprising as" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to compare two things that are similarly surprising. For example: "The outcome of the election was as surprising as the result of the last one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As surprising as that was, she said, it made sense.

The New York Times

As surprising as it sounds, rescue boats are being stopped from conducting rescues.

The Washington Post

As surprising as it may seem, there may be evidence to support this notion.

The Guardian

As surprising as Deneriaz's victory was, his competitors agreed it made sense.

The New York Times - Sports

As surprising as these votes and decisions may be, they all show a common direction.

The New York Times

As surprising as the existence of these letters is that Beckett, four years before his death, authorized their publication.

The New York Times - Books

As surprising as the swift Republican reactions — at a time when support for Trump initiatives is key to political survival — was the concurrent Democratic unity.

The Washington Post

As surprising as it may sound, most people don't know what their passion is.

Forbes

As surprising as it seems, there are things money can't buy.

Forbes

His reappearance in the story is something of a surprise, but not as surprising as how he has changed.

The New York Times - Books

And his conclusion is as surprising as it is counterintuitive.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as surprising as", ensure that you are comparing two elements that genuinely evoke a similar level of surprise to maintain clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "as surprising as" when the elements being compared are not, in fact, similarly surprising. This can lead to illogical or confusing sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as surprising as" functions as a comparative correlative conjunction, linking two elements that share a similar degree of unexpectedness. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable, serving to draw parallels between surprising events or pieces of information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as surprising as" is a grammatically correct and usable comparative conjunction that draws parallels between two equally unexpected elements. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and utility in various contexts. While not exceedingly common, it appears frequently in news, formal business communications, and scientific writing. When employing this phrase, ensure a genuine and similar level of surprise is present in both elements being compared to maintain clarity and impact. Alternatives include "just as astonishing" and "similarly surprising", offering nuanced ways to express equal levels of astonishment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Similarly surprising

This option underscores the parallel nature of the surprise.

Likewise astonishing

The surprise is described through the word "astonishing", the similarity stands on its intensity.

Just as astonishing

This alternative emphasizes the level of astonishment and uses a more direct comparison.

Equally unexpected

This phrase focuses on the lack of anticipation and the equivalent level of surprise.

No less startling

This alternative highlights the element of shock and compares its intensity.

Comparably stunning

The surprise is linked to a shock effect.

Just as unforeseen

This variant highlights the aspect of something not being anticipated and then compare its intensity.

Analogously astonishing

This alternative offers a more formal tone while maintaining the comparison of astonishment.

Correspondingly shocking

This selection uses a synonym, "shocking", to give more emphasis to the surprise.

Remarkably akin

This version uses a more sophisticated word choice to show a similar degree of unexpectedness.

FAQs

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

Use "as surprising as" to compare two equally surprising events or facts, for example: "His sudden resignation was "as surprising as" his initial appointment".

What are some alternatives to "as surprising as"?

You can use alternatives such as "equally unexpected", "just as astonishing", or "similarly surprising" to express a similar idea.

Is it grammatically correct to say 'as surprised as' instead of "as surprising as"?

While "surprised" and "surprising" are related, they have different uses. "Surprised" describes a feeling, while "surprising" describes something that causes surprise. Therefore, "as surprised as" would refer to a feeling, while "as surprising as" refers to an event or piece of information.

What is the difference between "as surprising as" and "unexpectedly"?

"As surprising as" is used for direct comparison, whereas "unexpectedly" is an adverb that describes how something occurred. For example, "The movie's ending was "as surprising as" the plot twist" versus "The movie ended "unexpectedly"".