a surprising finding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a surprising finding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing research results or discoveries that are unexpected or not in line with prior assumptions. Example: "The study revealed a surprising finding that contradicted previous theories about the disease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This isn't a surprising finding, really.

The New York Times

Halfway through the book, however, Shulman and Bowen present what they call a "surprising" finding.

The New Yorker

It's a surprising finding, but that's science all over: the results are often counterintuitive.

The Guardian

In our Chicago poll, a surprising finding was hidden beyond the responses.

The New York Times

That led to a surprising finding that the disease can be found in animals younger than 30 months.

The New York Times

In a surprising finding, 34 percent said you could still be Jewish if you believe that Jesus was the Messiah.

The New York Times

The aggregate analysis yielded a surprising finding.

Sports Medicine - Open

Proteinase K insensitivity of RNASET2 is also a surprising finding.

Protein & Cell

A surprising finding is the high portion of telecom companies reporting major organizational confusion.

Journal of Big Data

A surprising finding was that the amplitude of the temperature difference decreased with the increase in feed oxygen concentration.

Chemical Engineering Science

A surprising finding was that the off-task performance in the DRT task differed significantly from single-task performance.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting "a surprising finding", provide context and explain why the finding was unexpected. This helps the reader understand the significance of the result.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of "a surprising finding" without sufficient evidence. Present the results objectively and allow the reader to draw their own conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a surprising finding" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces an element of unexpectedness or novelty within a given context, often related to research or investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a surprising finding" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI, typically functioning as a noun phrase to introduce unexpected results primarily in scientific and news contexts. It's crucial to provide context and explain the unexpected nature of the result. While alternatives exist to add nuance, the phrase maintains a neutral to formal register suitable for professional communication. Remember to avoid overstating the significance of such findings without sufficient evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unexpected discovery

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the discovery itself, rather than the finding.

a noteworthy revelation

Highlights the importance or significance of the revealed information.

an astonishing result

Emphasizes the degree of surprise or amazement associated with the outcome.

a remarkable observation

Focuses on the act of observing something unexpected.

a startling revelation

Suggests the finding was abrupt and potentially alarming.

an unforeseen outcome

Highlights the lack of anticipation surrounding the result.

a curious anomaly

Draws attention to the unusual or deviating nature of the finding.

an unconventional outcome

Highlights that the outcome goes against conventional wisdom.

an intriguing discovery

Suggests that the discovery is interesting and worthy of further exploration.

a peculiar result

Emphasizes the odd or strange quality of the result.

FAQs

How can I effectively incorporate "a surprising finding" into my writing?

Use "a surprising finding" to introduce unexpected results, then provide context. Explain what was anticipated, and why the actual finding deviates from expectations. This approach enhances clarity and reader engagement.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a surprising finding"?

You can use alternatives like "an unexpected discovery", "a noteworthy revelation", or "an astonishing result" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a surprising finding" in formal academic writing?

Yes, "a surprising finding" is suitable for formal academic writing. It clearly and concisely introduces unexpected results, which is common in research reports and scholarly articles.

What's the difference between "a surprising finding" and "a puzzling finding"?

"A surprising finding" indicates an unexpected result, while "a puzzling finding" suggests the result is also difficult to understand or explain. The latter implies confusion in addition to surprise.