a surprising amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a surprising amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unexpected quantity or degree of something, often in a context where the amount is greater than anticipated. Example: "The survey revealed a surprising amount of support for the new policy among the community members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yes, a surprising amount of actors smoke.

The New York Times - Magazine

That sum delivers a surprising amount of performance.

The New York Times

A surprising amount of research has gone into this.

The Guardian

Instead she faced a surprising amount of carping and sniping.

The New York Times

BRIEFS Who's inhaling a surprising amount of pot and why?

The New York Times

"We sell a surprising amount of guts here," he added.

The New York Times - Food

It's a technique that involves a surprising amount of guesswork.

The New York Times

Established vineyards take a surprising amount of time and money to get where they are.

Cornell University

A surprising amount of porosity is found in fully-densified foams.

Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids

Some fireplaces, like those made by Rumford, can generate a surprising amount of heat.

The New York Times - Travel

Subscription services like Rhapsody and eMusic have a surprising amount of international offerings.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a surprising amount of" to add emphasis to an unexpected quantity, making your writing more engaging.

Common error

Avoid using "surprising" excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your vocabulary by using alternatives like "unexpected", "considerable", or "remarkable" to maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a surprising amount of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, indicating an unexpected or noteworthy quantity. It is commonly used to express that something exists in a greater quantity than one might anticipate, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a surprising amount of" is a versatile phrase used to express unexpected quantity or degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and very common, appearing frequently in news, scientific, and business contexts. When writing, remember that alternatives like "an unexpected quantity of" or "a considerable quantity of" can add variety. Be mindful of overuse to maintain reader engagement. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing to add emphasis and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unexpected quantity of

Replaces "surprising" with "unexpected", focusing on the lack of anticipation.

an unforeseen quantity of

Highlights that the amount was not predicted or anticipated.

an unpredicted quantity of

Stresses the unpredictability of the amount or quantity.

an astonishing quantity of

Uses "astonishing" to amplify the surprise element.

a startling degree of

Emphasizes the shock or alarm associated with the amount.

a considerable quantity of

Uses "considerable" to emphasize the largeness of the amount.

a significant quantity of

Replaces "surprising" with "significant", highlighting the importance of the amount.

an unusual amount of

Highlights the uncommon or atypical nature of the amount.

a noteworthy degree of

Shifts from quantity to degree, emphasizing intensity or extent.

a remarkable level of

Similar to "noteworthy degree of", but focuses on the impressiveness of the level.

FAQs

How can I use "a surprising amount of" in a sentence?

You can use "a surprising amount of" to describe something that exists in a quantity that is larger or more significant than expected. For example: "There was "a surprising amount of" support for the new policy".

What can I say instead of "a surprising amount of"?

You can use alternatives like "an unexpected quantity of", "a considerable quantity of", or "a significant quantity of depending on the context".

Is it better to use "a surprising amount of" or "much"?

While both can indicate quantity, "a surprising amount of" emphasizes the unexpected nature of the quantity, while "much" simply indicates a large quantity. The best choice depends on whether you want to highlight the surprise element.

What's the difference between "a surprising amount of" and "a large amount of"?

"A large amount of" indicates a substantial quantity. "A surprising amount of" implies that the quantity was unexpected or greater than anticipated. The former is neutral, while the latter adds an element of surprise.