an astonishing statement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an astonishing statement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a statement that is surprising or remarkable in some way. Example: "The scientist made an astonishing statement about the potential for life on other planets during the conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

This is an astonishing statement.

The New Yorker

That seemed an astonishing statement even for Chaudhuri, given his condemnation of British rulers in India as so often brutal and ignorant.

The Guardian - Opinion

Given what will happen -- the men, badly outnumbered, will be overrun by enemy troops and suffer heavy casualties in the course of an ill-defined and dubious mission -- this seems like an astonishing statement.

The New York Times

Coming from Martin Geck, a musicologist who has immersed himself thoroughly and productively in sheaves of Bach's music for decades, this is an astonishing statement, even taken in context.

The New York Times

Rating 4 out of 5: 'a moody, trippy sojourn into dead air space' This album is Radiohead's most cinematic effort to date, an astonishing statement of fragility and control in contrast to the epic rock of their early releases.

The Guardian - Music

For someone who has no official role in government, it was an astonishing statement to make.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Having blown a two-set lead, with his body crying for relief and his mind all over the place, he steeled himself for a quite astonishing statement of intent, blasting the Frenchman off the court almost without reply in front of his stunned home fans and booking a semi-final meeting with Nadal on Friday.

The Guardian - Sport

In late March we had culture secretary Sajid Javid's astonishing statement in a speech to the Board of Deputies of British Jews (reported in Jewish News) that any arts organisations refusing Israeli sponsorship will risk losing funding, breaching the long-established principle of an arms-length relationship between government and the arts.

The Guardian

Six years back, the local UN office issued an astonishing public statement threatening that if the army were to provide security for a dodgy election that might "have implications" for its lucrative peacekeeping contracts.

The Economist

"3 Decades Later, Ex-Hostages Press On for Damages From Iran" (news article, April 13) included an astonishing State Department statement: "The United States agreed in the Algiers Accords to bar claims by the former hostages against Iran from U.S. courts.

The New York Times

In an astonishing public statement, ethics-office director Walter Shaub e-mailed Trump aides in November to say that "we seem to have lost contact with the Trump-Pence transition since the election".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an astonishing statement" to highlight a declaration that significantly deviates from expectations or established norms. The phrase is suitable when you want to emphasize the surprising or remarkable nature of the information being conveyed.

Common error

Avoid repeatedly using "astonishing" in formal documents. While effective, overuse can diminish its impact. Opt for synonyms like "remarkable", "surprising", or "noteworthy" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an astonishing statement" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or direct object, often emphasizing the unexpected nature of the statement. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and highlights the surprising and remarkable aspect of the statement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an astonishing statement" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe a surprising or remarkable declaration. While not overly common, as indicated by Ludwig, it frequently appears in news and media to emphasize unexpected revelations. Ludwig AI suggests it's a valid phrase for highlighting significant deviations from expectations and norms. When using the phrase, remember that while appropriate for journalistic contexts, be mindful of overuse in overly formal writing and consider alternatives to maintain a sophisticated tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surprising declaration

Replaces "astonishing" with "surprising", emphasizing the unexpected nature of the declaration.

an incredible assertion

Substitutes "astonishing" with "incredible", highlighting the unbelievability of the assertion.

a remarkable claim

Uses "remarkable" instead of "astonishing", focusing on the noteworthy nature of the claim.

a stunning remark

Replaces both "astonishing" and "statement" with "stunning" and "remark" respectively, conveying a sense of shock.

an astounding announcement

Swaps "astonishing" with "astounding" and "statement" with "announcement", indicating great surprise.

an eye-opening disclosure

Offers a more descriptive alternative, emphasizing the revealing aspect of the statement.

a jaw-dropping pronouncement

Uses a more informal and emphatic expression to describe the statement's impact.

an unexpected revelation

Focuses on the unforeseen nature of the information being revealed.

a bewildering comment

Highlights the confusing or perplexing nature of the statement.

a sensational disclosure

Implies that the statement is designed to cause excitement and draw attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "an astonishing statement" to describe a declaration that is surprisingly impressive or shocking. For example: "The witness made "an astonishing statement" during the trial, changing the course of the case."

What are some alternatives to "an astonishing statement"?

Some alternatives include "a surprising declaration", "a remarkable claim", or "an incredible assertion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "astonishing statement" or "surprising statement"?

"Astonishing statement" implies a greater level of surprise and impact compared to "surprising statement". Use "astonishing" when you want to emphasize the extraordinary nature of the statement.

What makes a statement truly "astonishing"?

A statement is "astonishing" when it's strikingly unexpected, highly impressive, or significantly alters one's understanding of a situation. It often involves a revelation that is both surprising and impactful.