I was surprised to learn

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "I was surprised to learn" is correct and can be used in written English.
You may use it when you want to express your reaction to something new you have just found out. For example: "I was surprised to learn that my friend had moved to a different city without telling anyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I was surprised to learn what I didn't yet know.

The New York Times

I was surprised to learn you'd broken up".

The New Yorker

I was surprised to learn that Archbishop Dolan has a blog.

The New Yorker

I was surprised to learn that CHINSTRAPs are snapped on the football field.

The New York Times

I was surprised to learn how pervasively Evangelical the area was.

The New Yorker

So I was surprised to learn that Rabbi Pearlson knows and seemingly respects Hagee.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was surprised to learn that many companies support Christianity on the job.

The New York Times

"I was surprised to learn that the FA was allegedly investigating the incident of 8 August via the press.

Independent

I was surprised to learn how many of my acquaintances were the owners of so-called emotional-support animals.

The New Yorker

I was surprised to learn that the majority of my friends are married, and 40 percent of them are women.

The New York Times

Later, I was surprised to learn that Britain, and Messrs. Allen and Straw in particular, helped to orchestrate this.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow the phrase with a 'that' clause to clearly state the surprising information. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "I was surprised to learn" is acceptable in many situations, it can sound too informal for highly academic or professional writing. Consider using more neutral phrases like "It is noteworthy that" or "Research indicates that" for a more objective tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was surprised to learn" functions as an introductory expression used to preface a statement of fact or discovery that the speaker or writer found unexpected. As Ludwig AI points out, this expression introduces a personal reaction to newly acquired information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was surprised to learn" is a versatile phrase used to introduce unexpected information, commonly found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its suitability for expressing surprise or unexpected discoveries. While generally neutral in tone, it is advisable to use more formal alternatives in academic or highly professional writing. Remember to follow this phrase with a 'that' clause to ensure clarity and avoid overuse in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It surprised me to find out

Directly states that the discovery was unexpected.

I found it surprising to learn

Shifts the emphasis to the surprising nature of the information itself.

To my astonishment, I discovered

Emphasizes the speaker's amazement upon making the discovery.

I was astonished to find out

Emphasizes a high degree of surprise or disbelief upon discovering something.

I was taken aback to hear

Highlights the shock or surprise experienced upon hearing something unexpected.

It took me by surprise to discover

Highlights the unexpected nature of the discovery, focusing on its impact.

I never expected to learn

Focuses on the lack of anticipation before acquiring the new information.

I was rather unprepared to learn

Conveys a lack of readiness or anticipation for the information received.

I am amazed to report

Highlights a sense of wonder or disbelief in delivering news that might be surprising.

I had no idea that

Emphasizes a complete lack of prior knowledge about the subject.

FAQs

How can I use "I was surprised to learn" in a sentence?

You can use "I was surprised to learn" to introduce a piece of information that you found unexpected. For example, "I was surprised to learn that the Earth is not perfectly round."

What can I say instead of "I was surprised to learn"?

Alternatives include "I was astonished to find out", "It took me by surprise to discover", or "I never expected to learn", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "I was surprised to learn" formal or informal?

"I was surprised to learn" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for most contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider alternatives such as "It is noteworthy that".

What's the difference between "I was surprised to learn" and "I expected to learn"?

"I was surprised to learn" indicates that the information was unexpected, while "I expected to learn" suggests that the information was anticipated or planned for.