an astonishing development

USAGE SUMMARY

"an astonishing development" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a surprising turn of events. Example sentence: The news of the executive's resignation was an astonishing development.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

That's an astonishing development, considering Apple's traditional protectiveness of its software.

The New York Times - Tech

To longtime fans, the notion of the hidebound Cubs as a laboratory for innovation is an astonishing development.

The New Yorker

At Addenbrooke's hospital there are now eight staff who have been "trained" by police and are empowered to issue on-the-spot fines to patients, an astonishing development sanctioned by the chief constable of Cambridgeshire, Julie Spence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nevertheless, from a sporting standpoint, his presumed absence this weekend – and it would be an astonishing development if he did emerge from the league's concussion protocol to play on Sunday – will damage the Panthers immensely.

The Guardian - Sport

Like the first, it opens in 2016 with the world gripped in an economic crisis (and rife with amusingly torpid Occupy-style protests) that has led to an astonishing development that sounds like an environmentalist's dream: because gas costs more than $40 a gallon, Americans now rely on railroads as their major means of transportation.

The New York Times

This is an astonishing development in the Middle East, and it is quite incredible that it is not better known in the West.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

This is a truly astonishing development.

The New York Times

What are we to make of this astonishing development?

The New York Times

We learn much about the (astonishing) development of social security under Weimar, about seething anti-Semitism and diplomatic blunders.

The Economist

Begin with the astonishing development that the bullpen appears to have remained armed and dangerous despite being without Rivera in the closer's role for the first time in 15 years.

The New York Times - Sports

But another astonishing development that occurred in 1999 may ease the ethical dilemma.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an astonishing development" to introduce a significant, unexpected, and often positive change or event. It is suitable for formal writing but can also be used in news articles.

Common error

Avoid using "an astonishing development" too frequently in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "remarkable turn of events" or "surprising twist" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an astonishing development" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It describes a surprising and significant event, highlighting its unexpected nature. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an astonishing development" is a valid and useful phrase for describing significant and unexpected events. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and appropriate usage. While relatively uncommon, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, and its impact can be strengthened by considering semantically similar alternatives to prevent overuse. When employing this phrase, remember its nuance suggests a degree of surprise and consequence beyond a simple "surprising development".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surprising development

A more general description that focuses more on the surpise factor.

a remarkable turn of events

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the event.

a surprising twist

Highlights the element of surprise.

an unexpected outcome

Focuses on the result being different from what was predicted.

a stunning revelation

Suggests the information revealed is shocking or impressive.

a momentous occasion

Highlights the significance and importance of the event.

a paradigm shift

Suggests a fundamental change in thinking or approach.

a game changer

Indicates the event will significantly alter the existing situation.

an unprecedented situation

Emphasizes that there is no prior occurrence of something.

a sea change

Implies a major and comprehensive transformation.

FAQs

How can I use "an astonishing development" in a sentence?

You can use "an astonishing development" to describe a surprising and significant event. For example: "The discovery of the new species was "an astonishing development" in the field of biology."

What are some alternatives to "an astonishing development"?

Some alternatives to "an astonishing development" include "a remarkable turn of events", "a surprising twist", or "an unexpected outcome". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "an astonishing development" formal or informal?

"An astonishing development" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in news reports and academic writing than in casual conversation.

What makes "an astonishing development" different from "a surprising development"?

"An astonishing development" carries a stronger sense of wonder and significance than "a surprising development". Astonishing implies a greater degree of amazement or disbelief.