That was completely unexpected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "That was completely unexpected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express surprise or disbelief about an event or situation that occurred without any prior indication or warning. Example: "When she announced her resignation during the meeting, I couldn't help but think, 'That was completely unexpected.'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

As a student, reading it for part of a tragedy course, I was shocked in a way that was completely unexpected.

The Guardian

"We were blown away by how fast she was able to acquire her skill, that was completely unexpected," said Andrew Schwartz, professor of neurobiology at the University of Pittsburgh.

The Guardian

I struck up a conversation with a young man who was sitting on a bench, and, when I handed him my business card, he responded in a way that was completely unexpected.

The New Yorker

Marianne Drexler: Four years ago, after the birth of my last child, I experienced a massive postpartum hemorrhage, that was completely unexpected.

Duke University

Thus the attack on their home and the sudden losses created a breach that was completely unexpected.

HuffPost

And just like that, I ended up with a story that was completely unexpected, yet so simple, so obvious, and so perfectly logical -- albeit in hindsight.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Sometimes consumers receive a "surprise bill" — one that is completely unexpected or far higher than expected.

Harvard University

But sometimes you're lucky – you get a part where everything comes together in a way that's completely unexpected.

The Guardian

But what is really exciting is that no matter how long you work on a project, no matter how often you draw and redraw a building, there are always moments that are completely unexpected.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But what you can say is that when people make decisions on the road that are very risky – jumping red lights, cycling across fast-moving traffic to get to somewhere in a way that is completely unexpected by the motorist and without looking to see what traffic is doing – it's very difficult for the traffic engineers to second-guess that".

The Guardian

But what you can say is that when people make decisions on the road that are very risky – jumping red lights, moving across fast-moving traffic in a way that is completely unexpected and without looking to see what traffic is doing – it's very difficult for the traffic engineers to second-guess that".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was completely unexpected" to express genuine surprise or disbelief, especially when the event contradicts prior expectations or trends.

Common error

Avoid using "that was completely unexpected" when the situation has a high probability of occurring. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing sound insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was completely unexpected" serves as an exclamatory statement expressing surprise or disbelief. The examples Ludwig AI provides showcase its use across diverse contexts, reinforcing its function as an expression of unanticipated events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was completely unexpected" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express surprise. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. It's most frequent in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts. When writing, use it to highlight genuine surprise, but avoid overuse in predictable scenarios. For alternatives, consider phrases like "that took me by surprise" or "I didn't see that coming". Mastering this phrase and its nuances will enhance your writing and communication skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

That took me by surprise

Focuses on the personal experience of being surprised, rather than the unexpected nature of the event itself.

I didn't see that coming

Emphasizes a lack of foresight or anticipation on the speaker's part.

That was unforeseen

More formal and emphasizes that the event could not be predicted.

That was unanticipated

Similar to 'unforeseen' but slightly less formal.

That caught me off guard

Highlights the speaker's unpreparedness for the event.

That was out of the blue

Implies the event happened suddenly and without warning.

That was a shock

Emphasizes the sudden and impactful nature of the event.

That was quite a surprise

Underlines the surprising nature of the event in a mild way.

That blindsided me

Indicates that the event not only surprised, but also disadvantaged the person.

That was unpredicted

Similar to 'unforeseen' and 'unanticipated' but less common.

FAQs

How can I use "that was completely unexpected" in a sentence?

You can use "that was completely unexpected" to express surprise about something. For instance, "When she announced her resignation, "that was completely unexpected"."

What are some alternatives to "that was completely unexpected"?

Alternatives include "that took me by surprise", "I didn't see that coming", or "that was unforeseen", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "that was completely unexpected"?

Yes, "that was completely unexpected" is grammatically correct and widely used to express surprise or a lack of anticipation.

What's the difference between "that was unexpected" and "that was completely unexpected"?

Adding "completely" emphasizes the degree of surprise. "That was unexpected" simply indicates surprise, while "that was completely unexpected" suggests a higher level of astonishment or a total lack of anticipation.