a marvellous surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marvellous surprise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an unexpected event or gift that brings joy or delight. Example: "When she walked into the room and saw the decorations, it was truly a marvellous surprise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Martha Argerich, an Argentinian-born artist, believes a Steinway sometimes plays better than the pianist—"a marvellous surprise".In business terms, the three fared very differently.

The Economist

That he emerged from the London Games as Britain's most successful Olympian of all time was both what most had always expected and yet equally a marvellous surprise.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There is a marvellous chapter on poetry.

The Guardian - Books

Because that prose is a marvellous instrument, capable of lyrical surprises and the rawest plainness, at once highly constructed and spillingly oral.

The Guardian - Books

It is a marvellous artistic creation, this sea: up close, the painterly freedom is a surprise (try zooming on the Google Art Project link, above).

The Guardian - Arts

This punk-rock interlude would not have surprised Savage's regular listeners, who know him to be, more days than not, a marvellous storyteller, a quirky thinker, and an incorrigible free-associater.

The New Yorker

What a marvellous, marvellous atmosphere.

The Guardian - Sport

A marvellous idea indeed.

Independent

A marvellous honour.

The Guardian - Sport

A marvellous man".

Independent

A marvellous idea, he said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a marvellous surprise" to describe events or gifts that exceed expectations in a positive way. It conveys a sense of delight and wonder.

Common error

While "marvellous" is a perfectly acceptable word, be mindful of your audience. In very informal settings, consider using words like "great" or "amazing" to avoid sounding overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marvellous surprise" functions as a noun phrase, where "marvellous" modifies the noun "surprise", intensifying its positive impact. Ludwig AI highlights its use to describe an unexpected event or gift that is particularly delightful.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a marvellous surprise" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe a pleasant and unexpected event. As Ludwig AI states, it effectively conveys joy and delight. While not exceedingly common, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts, particularly within news and media. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "a delightful surprise" or "an amazing surprise" to match the tone of the conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a delightful surprise

Replaces "marvellous" with "delightful", maintaining a positive and pleasant connotation.

a wonderful surprise

Substitutes "marvellous" with "wonderful", offering a common and similarly appreciative expression.

an amazing surprise

Replaces "marvellous" with "amazing", adding a sense of awe and astonishment.

a welcome surprise

Emphasizes the positive reception of the unexpected event.

a fantastic surprise

Replaces "marvellous" with "fantastic", which expresses great enthusiasm and enjoyment.

a lovely surprise

Substitutes "marvellous" with "lovely", offering a gentler and more affectionate tone.

an unexpected delight

Shifts the focus slightly from the surprise element to the pleasurable nature of the event.

a truly remarkable surprise

Adds intensity by emphasizing the extraordinariness of the surprise.

a pleasant shock

Highlights the unexpected nature, emphasizing the positive and welcome aspect.

a joyful revelation

Focuses on the happiness brought by the unexpected discovery.

FAQs

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

You can use "a marvellous surprise" to describe an unexpected event or gift that brings joy. For instance, "The unexpected party was a marvellous surprise".

What's a more common alternative to "a marvellous surprise"?

Alternatives include "a wonderful surprise", "a delightful surprise", or "an amazing surprise", which are all widely understood and frequently used.

Is "marvellous" too formal for everyday conversation?

While "marvellous" isn't overly formal, consider your audience. In casual settings, more relaxed alternatives such as "great" or "fantastic" might be more appropriate.

What feeling does "a marvellous surprise" convey?

The phrase conveys a feeling of unexpected joy, delight, and wonder. It suggests that the surprise was not only unexpected but also highly pleasing.