a startling development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a startling development" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unexpected or surprising event or change, often in news articles or reports. Example: "The announcement of the merger came as a startling development to industry analysts who had not anticipated such a move."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

This is a startling development.

The Economist

It is a startling development for the nation that founded an industrial revolution powered by coal.

Yale University

That would be a startling development, bringing Eastern Europe's population trends in line with the West's.

The New York Times

This is a startling development – or it would be if the claim were not essentially wrong.

The Guardian - Business

Any acknowledgment of guilt by Colonel Qaddafi would amount to a startling development.

The New York Times

It was a startling development when, in 1907, she fell in love with Zetkin's son Kostia.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

In a mildly startling development, it was announced earlier this month that Noseda would go to the National Symphony, which ranks higher than the New York Philharmonic on no one's list.

The New Yorker

In many ways the sale of Merrill Lynch to Bank of America is a more startling development in the year-long credit crunch than the collapse of Lehman.

The Guardian - Business

In an equally startling development, tens of thousands are going in the opposite direction.

Huffington Post

In another startling development, an official even revealed it was possible that SDF forces might eventually push west to liberate the city of Idlib, 170km west of Raqqa, and currently controlled by a coalition of Islamists and jihadis including the former al-Qaida affiliate Nusra Front.

The Guardian

Amid the financial crisis and the chaos on Wall Street, the struggles of G.M., the world's largest automaker, have been just another startling development in a season chock full of startling news.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a startling development", provide context to explain why the event is surprising or unexpected. This adds depth and credibility to your statement.

Common error

While effective, relying too heavily on "a startling development" can diminish its impact. Vary your language with synonyms like "an unexpected turn of events" or "a remarkable occurrence" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a startling development" typically functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in introducing surprising or unexpected information. The phrase sets the stage for further explanation or analysis of the unexpected event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a startling development" is a commonly used noun phrase that introduces unexpected or surprising information. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and suitability for news, academic, and professional contexts. While generally neutral in tone, the phrase is most frequently found in news media and authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post. Remember to provide context to support your usage of "a startling development" and consider synonyms to avoid overuse. Keep in mind that alternatives like "an unexpected turn of events" can offer subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unexpected turn of events

Focuses on the unforeseen nature of the change, highlighting the surprise element.

a surprising twist

Emphasizes the deviation from what was expected, like a plot twist.

a remarkable occurrence

Highlights the noteworthiness of the event, suggesting it is significant.

an unforeseen circumstance

Focuses on the lack of anticipation, framing it as a condition that arose unexpectedly.

a dramatic shift

Stresses the magnitude and impact of the change, implying a substantial alteration.

a sudden revelation

Emphasizes the unveiling of something previously unknown, akin to a discovery.

an abrupt change

Highlights the suddenness and lack of warning associated with the shift.

a noteworthy development

Focuses on the significance of the progression, pointing out its importance.

an astonishing event

Emphasizes the level of amazement and disbelief caused by the incident.

an unanticipated outcome

Stresses that the result was not predicted or expected.

FAQs

How can I use "a startling development" in a sentence?

Use "a startling development" to introduce news or information that is unexpected or surprising. For example, "A startling development in the case led to a new suspect being identified."

What can I say instead of "a startling development"?

You can use alternatives like "an unexpected turn of events", "a surprising twist", or "a remarkable occurrence" depending on the context.

Is "startling development" formal or informal?

"Startling development" is generally considered neutral to formal and can be used in news reports, academic papers, and professional communications. The level of formality will often depend on the surrounding language and tone.

What makes "a startling development" different from "a significant development"?

"A startling development" emphasizes surprise and unexpectedness, while "a significant development" highlights importance and impact. Use "a startling development" when you want to draw attention to the unexpected nature of something, and "a significant development" when you want to emphasize its importance.