a significant surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"His decision to limit the water intake came as a significant surprise to us," said Chris Iribe, eastern region president of Pacific Gas & Electric's National Energy Group.

The New York Times

The answer — 81 — comes as a significant surprise because the voice in "Backing Into Forward" is not spry, not pretty energetic for an old person, but youthful, full of insouciance, vanity and playfulness.

The New York Times - Books

"It came as a significant surprise," said Mr. Fithian — though he acknowledged that his organization had opposed a years-long battle by the association Mr. Dodd now leads to win Federal Communications Commission approval, granted last May, for the use of antipiracy technology that allowed the new on-demand plan to proceed.

The New York Times

A reading anywhere near the 2.6% increase seen in June would come as a significant surprise.

Forbes

Their low likelihood (and high impact) implies a significant surprise, but the level of surprise can be subjective.

European Journal of Futures Research

Ms Villiers agreed Sinn Féin's actions were a "significant surprise, given the enthusiasm with which the Deputy First Minister and Sinn Féin were promoting the agreement".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Roddy Davidson, an analyst at Shore Capital, said the results did not appear to contain any significant surprises, coming soon after January's warning of sharp profit falls in 2015 and 2016.

The Guardian - Business

A small volume analysis revealed significant surprise effects, beyond PE, in the VS.

Human Brain Mapping

This was a significant and surprise finding, according to Bamji.

Vice

Interestingly, this analysis now revealed a significant Shannon surprise activation in right VS following small volume correction.

Human Brain Mapping

One significant surprise is that ferricytochrome-c molecules that get their knickers in a twist as they are folding can spontaneously unfold and try again.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a significant surprise" when you want to emphasize both the unexpectedness and the importance or impact of an event. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "a significant surprise" is versatile, avoid overusing it in very casual conversations. Simpler terms like "a big surprise" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant surprise" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes an event or piece of information that was both unexpected and important. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant surprise" is a noun phrase used to describe an unexpected event of considerable importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and versatile, appearing in various contexts from news and media to scientific literature. While usable in both formal and informal settings, it is slightly less common in very casual conversations. Consider using alternatives like "a major shock" or "an unexpected development" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember, while 'significantly surprising' exists, "a significant surprise" is the standard phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major shock

Emphasizes the element of shock more strongly than surprise, implying a greater emotional impact.

a considerable astonishment

Formal and emphasizes the feeling of great surprise and wonder.

an unexpected development

Downplays the emotional response and focuses on the unforeseen nature of the event.

a startling revelation

Highlights the revealing nature of the surprise, often implying previously hidden information.

a noteworthy turn of events

Focuses on the importance and impact of the surprise on the overall situation.

a real eye-opener

Informal and conveys the sense of suddenly understanding something important.

a bolt from the blue

Idiomatic and suggests a completely unexpected and sudden surprise.

a complete curveball

Informal and implies a surprise that deviates significantly from the expected course.

an unforeseen circumstance

More neutral, focusing on the unexpected nature of the situation without emphasizing surprise.

a seismic shift

Implies a massive unexpected event with disruptive power and far reaching consequences.

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant surprise" to describe an unexpected event that has a notable impact. For instance, "The company's unexpected profit was a significant surprise to investors."

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

You can use alternatives like "a major shock", "an unexpected development", or "a startling revelation" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a significantly surprising" instead of "a significant surprise"?

While "significantly surprising" isn't grammatically incorrect, "a significant surprise" is the more common and natural-sounding phrase. "Significantly surprising" might be used to describe something that is surprisingly significant.

What's the difference between "a significant surprise" and "a pleasant surprise"?

"A significant surprise" emphasizes the importance or impact of the unexpected event, while "a pleasant surprise" focuses on the positive or welcome nature of the surprise. The first refers to the magnitude, the second to the emotion caused.