a tremendous surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tremendous surprise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unexpected event or revelation that is significantly impactful or astonishing. Example: "When she walked into the room, it was a tremendous surprise to see all her friends gathered for her birthday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The announcement would not come as a tremendous surprise.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's been a tremendous surprise, obviously a pleasant one," Manager Jerry Manuel said.

The New York Times - Sports

If the Yankees are leading and anyone but Rivera pitches the final two innings, it will be a tremendous surprise.

The New York Times - Sports

Speaking in her mother's cheerful room at the nursing home here, Ms. Anstett said the news was a tremendous surprise.

The New York Times

He plans to meet with ownership within the next day or two, and it would be a tremendous surprise if the Mets did not retain Manuel.

The New York Times - Sports

Gary Schar, the Council president, who is often mentioned as a future mayoral candidate, said the bribery case was "a tremendous surprise and shock".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

It's almost certainly over, unless there is some tremendous surprise.

The Guardian - Opinion

That a writer of Mead's calibre could fall under its sway underscores the intellectual confusion that followed the tremendous surprise of September 11th.

The New Yorker

Paul Sereno: To my tremendous surprise, the site had humans that were 10,000 years old.

University of Chicago

"We are going to get tremendous surprises," said Peccei.

Los Angeles Times

He finds this a timesaver and there is a tremendous element of surprise in what you buy this way.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tremendous surprise" when you want to emphasize the magnitude and unexpectedness of an event or piece of information. It effectively conveys a high degree of astonishment or shock.

Common error

While "a tremendous surprise" is generally acceptable, avoid using it too frequently in casual conversations, as it may sound overly formal. Consider using more relaxed alternatives like "a big surprise" or "a huge shock" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tremendous surprise" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a noun (the surprise) with the adjective "tremendous", emphasizing its significant impact or magnitude, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tremendous surprise" is a versatile noun phrase used to express a significant level of unexpectedness or astonishment. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While acceptable in both formal and informal settings, more casual alternatives may be preferred in informal conversations. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the magnitude and impact of the surprise you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a huge shock

Replaces "surprise" with "shock" and "tremendous" with "huge", emphasizing the impactful and often negative nature of the unexpected event.

a great astonishment

Substitutes "surprise" with "astonishment" and "tremendous" with "great", highlighting the feeling of extreme wonder and disbelief.

an immense revelation

Replaces "surprise" with "revelation" and "tremendous" with "immense", focusing on the unveiling of something previously unknown with significant impact.

a massive jolt

Uses "jolt" instead of "surprise" and "massive" instead of "tremendous", conveying a sudden and forceful impact.

a startling discovery

Replaces "surprise" with "discovery" and "tremendous" with "startling", emphasizing the unexpected finding of something new.

an extraordinary event

Substitutes "surprise" with "event" and "tremendous" with "extraordinary", shifting the focus to the unusual and remarkable nature of what happened.

a complete bombshell

Uses "bombshell" instead of "surprise" and "complete" instead of "tremendous", emphasizing the shocking and disruptive nature of the news.

a staggering occurrence

Replaces "surprise" with "occurrence" and "tremendous" with "staggering", highlighting the overwhelming and almost unbelievable nature of the event.

an unforeseen development

Substitutes "surprise" with "development" and "tremendous" with "unforeseen", focusing on the unexpected and unplanned nature of the situation.

a stunning turn of events

Replaces "surprise" with "turn of events" and "tremendous" with "stunning", emphasizing the dramatic and unexpected shift in the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tremendous surprise" to describe something unexpected and impactful, such as: "It was "a tremendous surprise" when she announced her retirement."

What are some alternatives to "a tremendous surprise"?

Alternatives to "a tremendous surprise" include "a huge shock", "a great astonishment", or "an immense revelation" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a tremendous surprise" formal or informal?

"A tremendous surprise" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. However, in very informal situations, simpler phrases like "a big surprise" or "a huge surprise" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "a tremendous surprise" and "a pleasant surprise"?

"A tremendous surprise" emphasizes the magnitude of the surprise, while "a pleasant surprise" focuses on the positive nature of the unexpected event. The former can be either positive or negative, while the latter is always positive.