Of all things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Of all things" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to emphasize the unexpectedness or significance of something in a statement. Example: "I never thought, of all things, he would forget my birthday." Alternative expressions include "Of all the things" and "Out of everything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Of all things, wholesomeness.

The New York Times

Of all things difficult to bear,.

The New Yorker

Of all things, I only got my mouth guard back.

The New York Times - Sports

Sushi, of all things!

The New York Times

Behind us a spoonbill of all things.

Independent

It was, of all things, the edit.

The New York Times

"God, creator of all things".

The New Yorker

"She's an Episcopal priest, of all things.

The New Yorker

"A purse, of all things," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

God is the owner of all things.

The Guardian - Opinion

Starting with, of all things, journalism.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place the phrase immediately before or after the surprising noun to maximize the impact of the contrast.

Common error

Do not use "Of all things" in a context that requires a literal count or exhaustive list unless you intend to convey surprise. If you simply mean 'from every item available' without a sense of irony, consider using "out of all available" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Of all things" functions primarily as an intensifier or a disjunct that signals the speaker's surprise or incredulity. In Ludwig, it is frequently observed acting as a parenthetical element that frames a specific noun as being the most unlikely choice among many possibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Of all things" is a highly effective idiomatic expression used to emphasize the unexpected or ironic nature of a specific element within a situation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically Correct and widely used across prestigious publications, ranging from News & Media giants to Scientific journals. While it typically functions as a marker of surprise, it can also appear in philosophical discussions regarding the totality of existence. When using it, remember that its primary strength lies in its ability to highlight contrast. For a more literal meaning, consider using "out of everything", but for stylistic impact and emotional resonance, "Of all things" remains an excellent choice for any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Out of everything

More literal and slightly more informal while maintaining the same sense of surprise

Surprisingly

A single-word adverbial alternative that functions as a sentence modifier

Of all possible choices

More specific when referring to a selection or decision-making process

Oddly enough

Heightens the sense of strangeness or quirkiness behind the event

Believe it or not

More conversational and directly addresses the reader or listener

Unexpectedly

Focuses on the timing or lack of anticipation rather than the selection itself

Ironically

Used specifically when the surprise is due to a reversal of expectations

Above all else

Emphasizes priority or importance rather than just surprise

As it turns out

A narrative transition that introduces an unexpected conclusion

Incredibly

Adds a higher degree of intensity to the surprising element

FAQs

How do I use "Of all things" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce or follow something unexpected, such as "He decided to study, "Of all things", ancient tax laws." or ""Of all things", it was the weather that ruined the plan."

What can I say instead of "Of all things"?

You can use alternatives like "out of everything", "surprisingly", or "oddly enough" depending on the context.

Is "Of all things" formal enough for business writing?

Yes, while idiomatic, it is widely used in high-level journalism and professional essays to show emphasis. It appears frequently in "The New York Times" and "Forbes".

What is the difference between "Of all things" and "Of all the things"?

The version without the article, "Of all things", is usually an idiomatic expression of surprise. Adding the article, "of all the things", often refers to a specific, literal set of items previously mentioned.