Unexpectedly enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Unexpectedly enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a surprising or ironic statement that follows, often indicating that the outcome was not anticipated. Example: "Unexpectedly enough, the quietest student in the class ended up winning the debate competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Unexpectedly enough, BrdU-labeled cells were also found in the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN), with greater numbers of pubertally born cells in males than in females (Ahmed et al. 2008).

Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology

More British interest: Sarah Waters' much-loved novel Fingersmith is to be brought to the screen, unexpectedly enough, by the great Korean master of the extreme Park Chan-Wook.

The Guardian - Film

And the source of that quote, "Three people can keep a secret if two of them are dead," turns out, unexpectedly enough, to be none other than Benjamin Franklin.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Engineers concluded that the shuttle's robot arm, still attached to Zarya, was unexpectedly exerting enough pressure to drag the pairing out of sync.

The New York Times

Although intended as a methodologic pilot, our results are unexpectedly precise enough to warrant clinical recommendations.

BMC Palliative Care

For instance, when a nuclear plant trips unexpectedly, there are enough other plants that can be brought online to produce electricity to keep the lights on.

University of California, Berkeley

I've lost enough friends unexpectedly to realize that kind of thinking is pointless.

The Guardian - Opinion

I found out that my probable Stage 1 prostate cancer, which had appeared ordinary enough, was unexpectedly aggressive.

The New York Times - Health

It's unexpectedly good, and astute enough to avoid alienating churchgoing audiences in the US by its sensitive handling of tricky material.

The Guardian - Film

The whole point of this exercise is to respect people's gifts, to respect what they can do, to respect their courage". At 64, the actor is unexpectedly tall and muscular, formal enough to wear a sport coat to class, casual enough to wear his loafers without socks.

Los Angeles Times

You can have octopus that's just chewy enough with an unexpectedly charming pesto of watercress and cashews.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Unexpectedly enough" to add a touch of irony or surprise when introducing a statement that deviates from what might be anticipated.

Common error

While "Unexpectedly enough" can be effective, avoid using it too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive or contrived. Opt for simpler alternatives like "surprisingly" or "unexpectedly" at times.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Unexpectedly enough" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause or sentence to express surprise or irony. It introduces a statement that contrasts with what might be expected. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it commonly sets up a surprising fact.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Unexpectedly enough" is an adverbial phrase used to introduce surprising or ironic statements. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in English. While less frequent than simpler alternatives like "surprisingly", it adds emphasis. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral to slightly informal register. When writing, use it to inject a touch of irony or surprise, but avoid overuse to maintain clarity and prevent redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Oddly enough

Highlights the peculiarity or strangeness of the situation.

Surprisingly

Shorter and more direct, lacking the added emphasis of 'enough'.

Ironically

Highlights the contrast between expectation and reality.

Remarkably

Emphasizes the unusual or noteworthy nature of the situation.

Unexpectedly

Simpler and more straightforward, without the additional emphasis.

In an unexpected turn of events

More verbose and emphasizes a change in circumstances.

To my surprise

Highlights the personal reaction to the unexpected event.

Against all expectations

Emphasizes the improbability of the event.

Bizarrely

Highlights the strange or eccentric quality of the situation.

Counterintuitively

Focuses on the fact that the outcome goes against what one might expect based on intuition.

FAQs

How can I use "Unexpectedly enough" in a sentence?

Use "Unexpectedly enough" to introduce a statement that is surprising or contrary to what might be expected. For example, "Unexpectedly enough, the quietest student in the class won the debate competition".

What phrases are similar to "Unexpectedly enough"?

Alternatives to "Unexpectedly enough" include "surprisingly", "ironically", or "oddly enough". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "Unexpectedly enough" formal or informal?

"Unexpectedly enough" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it might be slightly more common in less formal writing. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your piece.

What's the difference between "Unexpectedly" and "Unexpectedly enough"?

"Unexpectedly" is a straightforward adverb indicating something happened in an unforeseen manner. "Unexpectedly enough" adds emphasis, suggesting the outcome is not just unforeseen, but also somewhat remarkable or ironic.