a rather surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rather surprising" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is unexpected or astonishing in a somewhat mild manner. Example: "The results of the experiment were a rather surprising outcome, given the initial hypotheses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a rather surprising development, Apple and IBM announced an alliance in 1991.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The diet guru looks me up and down and gives a rather surprising answer: "No".

Independent

The new novel, The Making of Zombie Wars, is a rather surprising answer.

The Guardian - Books

It was a game that capped off a rather surprising run.

The Guardian - Sport

The answer may lie in a rather surprising place: the world of motorsport.

The Guardian

After exiting the Borg ship in a rather surprising manner, you are confronted with an even bigger problem.

The New York Times - Tech

Holed up with the Sun in a Gatwick hotel for 24 hours, Simmons wondered what he was doing and so decided on a rather surprising course of action.

The Guardian - Sport

And the DCPS made contact right back in a rather surprising way: The couple received an e-mail from Chancellor Michelle Rhee.

The Economist

To understand how he got there, and to set up what turned out to be a rather surprising conversation with Mr. Spangenberg, let's rewind Mr. Braxton's story.

The New York Times

A year ago at the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona, driving for Tommy Baldwin, Park finished a rather surprising 13th in his first Cup race in seven years.

The New York Times - Sports

Dorling's book rejects both "left" and "right" arguments in favour of a rather surprising assertion: that we do not need to build more at all.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "a rather surprising" with specific details to enhance the impact of the statement. Instead of saying "It was a rather surprising result", specify what made it surprising, like "The fact that the experiment yielded no results was a rather surprising outcome."

Common error

Avoid using "a rather surprising" repeatedly in a single piece of writing, as it can become monotonous. Vary your language by using synonyms like "a somewhat unexpected" or "a quite astonishing" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rather surprising" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun. It expresses an element of unexpectedness or mild astonishment, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rather surprising" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce an element of mild surprise or unexpectedness. It is versatile and appears in diverse contexts, including news, scientific publications, and general writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is generally appropriate and usable in written English. While it is valuable for expressing astonishment, writers should avoid overuse and consider synonyms for variety. Ludwig also offers many examples from reliable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a somewhat unexpected

Emphasizes the unexpected nature while toning down the intensity of the surprise.

a particularly unexpected

Emphasizes the degree to which something was not anticipated.

a quite astonishing

Strengthens the level of surprise, suggesting something remarkably impressive or shocking.

a genuinely astonishing

Focuses on the authenticity and magnitude of the astonishment.

a considerably astounding

Amplifies the level of amazement or bewilderment.

a fairly startling

Highlights the abrupt or unsettling nature of the surprise.

a notably remarkable

Shifts the focus to the noteworthy or exceptional aspect of the event.

a truly remarkable

Highlights the extraordinary nature of the subject, implying it exceeded expectations.

an entirely unforeseen

Underscores the complete lack of anticipation or predictability.

a relatively unforeseen

Suggests that while not entirely unexpected, it was still largely unanticipated.

FAQs

How can I use "a rather surprising" in a sentence?

You can use "a rather surprising" to introduce an unexpected event or outcome. For instance, "It was "a rather surprising" turn of events when the underdog won the championship."

What are some alternatives to "a rather surprising"?

Alternatives include "a somewhat unexpected", "a quite astonishing", or "a fairly startling", depending on the level of surprise you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "a rather surprising"?

While grammatically correct, using "a rather surprising" may not be appropriate in highly formal or academic contexts that require more precise language. Consider your audience and the tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "a rather surprising" and "a completely unexpected"?

"A rather surprising" indicates a mild to moderate level of surprise, while "a completely unexpected" suggests a higher degree of unforeseenness. The choice depends on the emphasis you want to place on the unexpected nature of the event.