a considerable surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a considerable surprise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unexpected event or outcome that is significant in magnitude or impact. Example: "The sudden announcement of the merger was a considerable surprise to all employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The other world record was also a considerable surprise.

The New York Times - Arts

These samples have already yielded a considerable surprise.

The Guardian

He has taken Phil Hughes's spot in the rotation, and been a considerable surprise.

The New York Times - Sports

This bid was a considerable surprise to East, who had to pass.

The New York Times - Arts

Lincoln's arrival at Antietam was a considerable surprise to McClellan, and not a particularly welcome one.

The New York Times

It's therefore a considerable surprise to peer behind their glossy sheen to discover five down-to-earth, genuine geezers.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The committee also concluded that it was a "matter of considerable surprise" that nobody, with the exception of former investment banking head Johnny Cameron, has been "held meaningfully accountable" for the failure of the bank.

The Guardian - Business

If he is not a murderer, his reaction to his wife's terrified remark that she thought she would go without a bath might be one of considerable surprise; she would hardly be in the habit of consulting him, after all, when she wanted to take a bath.

The New Yorker

Reflecting on their meeting, the broadcaster said: "On my 89th birthday it was to my considerable surprise to find myself in a place that I've never been to before...to visit the White House with the President of the United States.

Independent

"On my 89th birthday it was to my considerable surprise to find myself in a place that I've never been to before...to visit the White House with the President of the United States," he added.

Independent

A place in the sun ReprintsThe panel did express considerable surprise at the fact that the unit did not collaborate closely with professional statisticians.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a considerable surprise" when you want to emphasize that something was not just unexpected, but also notably significant or impactful. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "a considerable surprise" is a valid phrase, avoid using it repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "unexpected development" or "major revelation" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a considerable surprise" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. Ludwig examples show that this phrase is used to refer to something unexpected and significant. The Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Arts

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a considerable surprise" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes an event or outcome that is notably unexpected and significant. Ludwig examples from varied sources show it can fit numerous contexts and the Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse and consider synonyms to maintain writing style. The frequency in News & Media contexts confirms its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite unexpected

This alternative is more concise and directly expresses the lack of anticipation.

utterly unforeseen

This alternative stresses the complete lack of predictability.

a major shock

Emphasizes the intensity and impact of the surprise, suggesting a significant emotional or psychological effect.

something out of the blue

This alternative stresses that it happened suddenly and unexpectedly.

a bolt from the blue

This alternative stresses that it happened suddenly and unexpectedly.

a great astonishment

Highlights the feeling of wonder and disbelief associated with the surprise, indicating a high degree of amazement.

a stunning development

This alternative underlines the impressive, surprising and sometimes overwhelming character of a revelation.

a huge revelation

Focuses on the revealing aspect of the surprise, suggesting that something previously unknown has been brought to light.

a complete turn-up for the books

Emphasizes that the surprise violates any expectation.

an eye-opener

This alternative is generally used to refer to an event or piece of information that makes you realize something.

FAQs

How can I use "a considerable surprise" in a sentence?

You can use "a considerable surprise" to describe an unexpected event or outcome that is significant. For instance, "It was "a considerable surprise" when she announced her resignation".

What can I say instead of "a considerable surprise"?

You can use alternatives like "a major shock", "quite unexpected", or "utterly unforeseen" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a considerable surprising"?

No, "a considerable surprising" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""a considerable surprise"," where "surprise" functions as a noun.

What's the difference between "a slight surprise" and "a considerable surprise"?

"A slight surprise" indicates a minor or mild unexpected event, while ""a considerable surprise"" implies a significantly larger or more impactful unexpected event.