a surprising pattern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a surprising pattern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an unexpected trend or arrangement observed in data, behavior, or events. Example: "After analyzing the results, we discovered a surprising pattern in the participants' responses that we hadn't anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

A surprising pattern formed almost immediately.

The New York Times - Tech

Pfaff, in making his case, points to a surprising pattern.

The New Yorker

As the nation's merchants began poring — or weeping — over holiday sales receipts Wednesday, a surprising pattern emerged: even brands that for years have inspired the undying devotion of shoppers felt the pinch of tightening wallets.

The New York Times

But in presenting the choice hypothetically to groups of students and adults since 9/11, I've been struck by a surprising pattern: there are always some people who say they would prefer to go through the Naked Machine rather than the Blob Machine.

The New York Times - Magazine

A surprising pattern emerged.

Science Magazine

There also was a surprising pattern of space flight influence on genes of the coagulation pathway.

Advances in Space Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

A peculiar and surprising pattern in accidental injuries and neoplasms emerged.

BMC Public Health

In 2015, the Princeton economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton identified a surprising data pattern that reflects these economic fault lines, finding that mortality rates for middle-aged white non-Hispanic Americans with only a high-school diploma have been increasing since the late nineteen-nineties.

The New Yorker

Weekly DNA content analysis revealed a surprising ploidy pattern shift for both lines.

Cell Research

While wild-type FMRP was localized predominantly in the cytoplasm as expected, the patient FMRP showed a surprising localization pattern that was not observed with the wild-type protein (Fig 2A).

EMBO Molecular Medicine

The next challenge will be testing whether this surprising pattern arises due to an artifact of LBA, and testing the monophyly of radiolarians.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a surprising pattern", ensure the context clearly establishes what was expected or typical, against which the pattern is surprising.

Common error

Avoid using "a surprising pattern" when the pattern is only mildly unexpected. Reserve it for truly significant deviations from the norm to maintain impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a surprising pattern" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts, highlighting its role in introducing unexpected findings. For example, in scientific studies or news reports.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a surprising pattern" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce unexpected trends or arrangements. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent appearance in both scientific and news contexts. The phrase functions as a noun and serves to capture attention by signaling a deviation from the norm. While it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences, its use should be reserved for genuinely significant deviations to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives like "an unexpected trend" or "a curious phenomenon" can be considered based on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unexpected trend

Focuses on the deviation from what was anticipated.

a noteworthy development

Highlights the significance and potential impact of the change.

a remarkable regularity

Emphasizes the unusual consistency observed.

an unforeseen arrangement

Stresses the lack of anticipation regarding the order or structure.

a curious phenomenon

Highlights the intriguing and unexplained nature of the occurrence.

a peculiar tendency

Suggests an unusual inclination or habit.

an atypical configuration

Points out the non-standard composition or form.

a strange occurrence

Underlines the odd and unsettling nature of the event.

an anomalous result

Focuses on the deviation from expected outcomes or norms.

an oddity in the data

Highlights an unusual and peculiar aspect within collected information.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a surprising pattern" in a sentence?

To effectively use "a surprising pattern", ensure that you clearly establish the context or expectation that makes the pattern surprising. For example, "After analyzing the data, "a surprising pattern" emerged that challenged our initial hypothesis."

What are some alternatives to "a surprising pattern"?

Some alternatives to "a surprising pattern" include "an unexpected trend", "a remarkable regularity", or "a curious phenomenon", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "a surprising pattern" or "an unexpected pattern"?

Both "a surprising pattern" and "an unexpected pattern" are grammatically correct and usable. "Surprising" implies a greater degree of astonishment or wonder than "unexpected".

What makes a pattern "surprising"?

A pattern is "surprising" when it significantly deviates from what is typically observed or predicted. This deviation often challenges existing assumptions or reveals new insights, making the pattern noteworthy.