against all expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "against all expectations" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation that is surprising or unexpected. Example: Against all expectations, the underdog team managed to defeat the reigning champions in the final game of the season.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is, against all expectations, delicious, albeit ponderous.

The New York Times - Food

Against all expectations, OPEC holds most of the cards.

The Economist

A great power has stumbled badly, against all expectations.

The New Yorker

Rock's antihero had become, against all expectations, a rock hero.

The New York Times - Arts

Against all expectations, GCHQ is also flirting with Holacracy.

The Guardian - Arts

Which, to come full circle, is what "The Dilemma," against all expectations, turns out to be.

The New York Times

In the nineteen-seventies, against all expectations, the salaryman rose from the dead.

The New Yorker

Against all expectations, Western influence suddenly seems to be winning out even in Myanmar.

The Economist

Against all expectations, he becomes a professor of the classics at the University of Missouri.

The Guardian - Books

It's a job that really exists, against all expectations, and it's pretty great.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Against all expectations and possibly common sense the DeLorean is back in limited production, and with it has come a boomlet in DeLoreaniana.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "against all expectations" to add emphasis when highlighting a truly surprising or improbable result. It strengthens the impact of the unexpected outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "against all expectations" when the outcome, though perhaps not desired, was reasonably foreseeable. Save it for genuinely surprising events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "against all expectations" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it modifies a clause or sentence to indicate that something happened in a way that was not anticipated or predicted. It adds emphasis to the surprising nature of an event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

21%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "against all expectations" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express surprise and highlight unexpected outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly employed across a range of contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as scientific writing, it conveys a sense of astonishment or disbelief. While adaptable to various writing styles, mindful use is key to prevent overuse in predictable situations. With alternatives like "contrary to what was expected" and "surprisingly" available, writers can fine-tune their expression to fit the specific nuance they wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrary to what was expected

Emphasizes the divergence from anticipated results or predictions.

unexpectedly

A shorter, more direct way of indicating something happened in an unforeseen manner.

surprisingly

Highlights the element of surprise associated with the outcome.

in defiance of expectations

Suggests a more active resistance to what was predicted or hoped for.

improbably

Focuses on the low likelihood of the event occurring.

unbelievably

Emphasizes the difficulty in accepting the outcome as true.

despite all indications

Highlights that the outcome occurred even with evidence suggesting otherwise.

fly in the face of expectations

Uses a more figurative expression to show direct contradiction.

buck the trend

Suggests the phrase goes against an established tendency or pattern.

defying prediction

Highlights the inability to foresee the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "against all expectations" in a sentence?

This phrase typically introduces a surprising or improbable outcome. For example, "Against all expectations, the underdog team won the championship."

What are some alternatives to "against all expectations"?

You can use alternatives such as "contrary to what was expected", "surprisingly", or "unexpectedly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "contrary to all expectations" instead of "against all expectations"?

Yes, "contrary to all expectations" is a valid and semantically similar alternative.

What's the difference between "against all odds" and "against all expectations"?

"Against all odds" emphasizes overcoming significant obstacles, while "against all expectations" emphasizes the surprising nature of an outcome given what was predicted or anticipated.