a bit astonishing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit astonishing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express mild surprise or disbelief about something that is unexpected or remarkable. Example: "The results of the experiment were a bit astonishing, considering the initial predictions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It isn't, but people think that's a bit astonishing in itself".

Independent

That's really a bit astonishing, if not ridiculous, when you think about it.

Forbes

So it is a bit astonishing to survey postmodern cybernetic or cyberpunk fiction and find these metaphysical points of view expressed so frankly.

Johns Hopkins University

As the Jewish genealogical journal Avotaynu recently observed in an article on one Indian Jewish group, "The Bene Israel flourished for 2,400 years in a tolerant land that has never known anti-Semitism, and were successful in all aspects of the socio-economic and cultural life of the people of the region". That's really a bit astonishing, if not ridiculous, when you think about it.

Forbes

And even if we remember or only heard about it before, it may be a bit astonishing, in this age of huge malls and gigantic discount stores, to be reminded that Helms Bakery once had 500 trucks--they called them coaches--on the road, delivering bread and other goodies right to your door.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The council "summarily rejected" the effectively paltry and disrespectful offer, to which Joe Okpaku, Lyft's vice president for public policy, responded, "It's a little bit astonishing to us". On Thursday, WNYC and others reported that a group of Williamsburg business owners had gathered at Brooklyn Bowl to protest the cap and certain expected repercussions.

Forbes

Then a bit of astonishing theatre: a between-his-legs flick by the young man that skimmed the net for a winner that left even Nadal impressed.

The Guardian - Sport

If that exception sounds a bit odd, what makes it downright astonishing is that in 2012 Greenfield backed a political campaign for default-on internet porn filters, citing the "vulnerability" of the developing brain.

The Guardian

If the thought of the impending cool winter nights feels a bit depressing, take advantage of some astonishing offers from Hayes and Jarvis, which is offering reductions of up to 50% on holidays to Mauritius.

The Guardian - Travel

Here's a quick sketch showing how the vertical dimension for the various shapes remains constant at different rotations — except for shapes B and D. Of the shapes that worked, Shape A was the most astonishing — it was a bit hard to believe at first that this shape, the most acorn-like of the collection, does, in fact, have a constant diameter.

The New York Times

We have a bit more information about London's rather astonishing school system.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bit astonishing" to express a mild sense of wonder or surprise. It's suitable when something is unexpected but not overwhelmingly shocking.

Common error

While "a bit astonishing" is acceptable, overuse can diminish its impact. Opt for stronger alternatives like "remarkable" or "astounding" if the situation warrants a more formal or impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit astonishing" functions as an adjectival modifier, adding a layer of surprise or mild disbelief to the noun it describes. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in expressing something unexpected or remarkable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bit astonishing" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey a mild sense of surprise or wonder. Ludwig AI verifies its correctness and suitability for expressing something unexpected but not overwhelmingly shocking. Predominantly found in News & Media and academic contexts, it offers a more informal alternative to stronger expressions like "remarkable" or "astounding". When aiming for formal communication, writers should exercise caution and consider more sophisticated vocabulary. The provided alternatives, such as "somewhat surprising" and "slightly remarkable", offer subtle variations in meaning, allowing for precise expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little surprising

Replaces "bit" with "little" for a slight adjustment in intensity.

mildly surprising

Replaces "a bit" with "mildly", specifying that the degree of surprise is not strong.

slightly astounding

Replaces "astonishing" with "astounding", which is a synonym but might imply a stronger impact.

rather astonishing

Substitutes "a bit" with "rather", indicating a more pronounced level of astonishment.

pretty surprising

Replaces "a bit" with "pretty" to give a less formal tone.

somewhat surprising

Replaces "astonishing" with "surprising" indicating a lesser degree of amazement.

somewhat amazing

Replaces "astonishing" with "amazing", conveying a sense of wonderment.

slightly remarkable

Substitutes "astonishing" with "remarkable" suggesting something noteworthy but not necessarily shocking.

a trifle astonishing

Replaces "bit" with "trifle", adding a touch of formality.

somewhat unexpected

Uses "unexpected" instead of "astonishing", focusing on the lack of anticipation rather than the magnitude of surprise.

FAQs

What does "a bit astonishing" mean?

The phrase "a bit astonishing" means something is somewhat surprising or remarkable, but not to an extreme degree. It expresses a moderate level of wonder or disbelief.

What can I say instead of "a bit astonishing"?

You can use alternatives such as "somewhat surprising", "slightly remarkable", or "mildly surprising" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "a bit astonishing" in formal writing?

While acceptable, "a bit astonishing" leans toward the informal. For formal writing, consider more sophisticated alternatives like "quite remarkable" or "truly astounding".

How does "a bit astonishing" differ from "very astonishing"?

"A bit astonishing" indicates a mild level of surprise, while "very astonishing" suggests a strong degree of wonder or disbelief. The former is less intense than the latter.