Surprisingly yes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Surprisingly yes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express unexpected agreement or affirmation in response to a question or statement. Example: "Did you think the project would be completed ahead of schedule? Surprisingly yes, it was finished two weeks early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Surprisingly, yes.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Surprisingly, yes! Believe it or not, there are actually bacterial viruses with U-DNA genomes!

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The answer is emphatically, and a bit surprisingly, yes.

The New York Times - Books

For me, the answer to that question is, perhaps surprisingly, "yes".

The Guardian

QUESTION FROM THOMAS: Do you get much response within China from the pieces you publish in English in the US? EVAN OSNOS: Surprisingly, yes.

The New Yorker

A: Surprisingly, yes.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The answer, surprisingly, was yes, and he began his work.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr Cardoso, perhaps surprisingly, says yes, because many of his economic reforms are irreversible.

The Economist

Among Wall Street analysts and institutional investors, the consensus answer is a surprisingly firm yes.

The New York Times

The answer, perhaps surprisingly, is yes.

Advances in Difference Equations

On reflection, the answer – surprisingly – is yes.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Surprisingly yes" to concisely express agreement while highlighting an element of unexpectedness or contradiction to prior assumptions.

Common error

Avoid using "Surprisingly yes" in highly formal or academic writing where a more elaborate explanation of the unexpected agreement might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Surprisingly yes" functions as an affirmative response, with the adverb "surprisingly" modifying the affirmation. It conveys that the agreement is unexpected or contrary to prior assumptions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is acceptable and effective in certain contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Surprisingly yes" is an adverbial phrase used to express an affirmative response with an element of unexpectedness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While relatively uncommon, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, often used to challenge assumptions or highlight unexpected outcomes. When writing, "Surprisingly yes" is best used to concisely convey both agreement and surprise, but should be used with caution in formal contexts where a more detailed explanation might be warranted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Yes, unexpectedly

Reorders the words to emphasize the affirmative response before the element of surprise.

To my surprise, yes

Expresses the surprise as a personal reaction.

Indeed, surprisingly

Uses "indeed" to strengthen the affirmation, while retaining the element of surprise.

Actually, yes

Uses "actually" to introduce an element of surprise in the affirmative response.

Yes, contrary to expectations

Replaces "surprisingly" with a longer phrase that explicitly states the unexpected nature of the agreement.

Surprisingly, that is correct

Adds specificity by confirming the correctness of a statement, with the surprise element.

Affirmative, surprisingly enough

Uses "affirmative" for a more formal tone, adding "enough" for emphasis.

Believe it or not, yes

Emphasizes the surprising nature of the agreement by challenging disbelief.

Yes, and it's quite unexpected

Expands the phrase into a full sentence, highlighting both the agreement and the surprise.

Yes, against all odds

Highlights the unexpected nature of the affirmation due to unlikelihood.

FAQs

How can I use "Surprisingly yes" in a sentence?

"Surprisingly yes" is typically used as a short, emphatic response to a question, indicating that the answer is affirmative but also unexpected. For example: "Did you think the project would be completed on time? Surprisingly yes, it was."

What can I say instead of "Surprisingly yes"?

You can use alternatives like "yes unexpectedly", "indeed surprisingly", or "yes contrary to expectations" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "Surprisingly yes"?

Yes, it is grammatically acceptable, especially in informal contexts or when used as a direct response. The adverb "surprisingly" modifies the affirmative response, indicating its unexpected nature.

What's the difference between "Surprisingly yes" and "Yes, surprisingly"?

While both phrases convey the same meaning, "Surprisingly yes" emphasizes the unexpectedness more strongly. "Yes, surprisingly" places a slight emphasis on the affirmation itself, with the surprise as a secondary element.