an astounding thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an astounding thing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is surprising or impressive in a positive way. Example: "The discovery of a new species in the rainforest was truly an astounding thing that captivated the scientific community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"In historical terms, this is an astounding thing.

The New York Times

I remember Ascetic's Silver was thought to have accomplished an astounding thing when he won in 9 minutes 34 seconds.

The Guardian

He was the first person we know to have written a piece in four parts - an astounding thing to do".

The Guardian - Books

The brain is an astounding thing, but it struggles to absorb new visual and aural information at the same time.

The Guardian

He's also now an event himself, which is an astounding thing to achieve over the course of six Tests.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was an astounding thing to me," Mr. Perelman said; he contended that Panavision was sorely undervalued by the stock market, thanks in part to the small number of shares -- just 735,000 -- that trade publicly.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

It's froth and fun, he seems to say, and also a simply astounding thing for the human body to do.

The New York Times - Arts

A truly astounding thing happened Thursday night: with LeBron James's "The Decision" universally expected to be a cultural low point, the moment sports stardom turned into pure narcissism and sports journalism turned into pure schlock, it managed to come in under expectations.

The New York Times

"If that holds true, then that's a pretty astounding thing," he says, because it means that the ocean's teeming millions of cephalopods are likely to be susceptible to humanmade noise in the ocean.

Science Magazine

But you certainly need to have a more complex regulatory framework to get to a more complex organism, and the astounding thing is that the only thing that does scale with complexity - because the number of genes does not - is the extent of the non-protein-coding genome.

BMC Biology

The astounding thing is Loewy rendered a full-size Avanti in clay in less than 40 days, which even today is considered breathtaking speed.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an astounding thing", follow it with a 'that' clause to explain what makes it so remarkable. For example: "An astounding thing is that he finished the marathon in under three hours."

Common error

Avoid using "an astounding thing" to describe everyday occurrences, as it diminishes the phrase's impact. Save it for truly remarkable situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an astounding thing" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something as remarkably surprising or impressive. Ludwig indicates that it is correct and appropriate for use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Wiki

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an astounding thing" is a grammatically correct and valid phrase used to express surprise or admiration. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and suggests using alternatives such as "an extraordinary event" or "a remarkable phenomenon" for variety. It's most frequently found in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. Avoid overuse in mundane situations to preserve its impact. This analysis provides writers with practical guidance, highlights potential errors, and ensures confident and effective use of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extraordinary event

Uses "extraordinary" instead of "astounding", highlighting the exceptional nature of the occurrence.

a remarkable phenomenon

Replaces "thing" with a more formal noun, emphasizing the unusual nature of the event.

a mind-blowing achievement

Emphasizes the intellectual impact and impressiveness.

an incredible feat

Focuses on the accomplishment aspect, suggesting that the thing was difficult to achieve.

a phenomenal incident

Highlights the exceptional and noteworthy nature of the event.

a stunning development

Emphasizes the element of surprise and visual impact.

an awe-inspiring sight

Focuses on the feeling of reverence and amazement.

a surprising occurrence

Highlights the unexpected nature of the event.

a breathtaking surprise

Combines the elements of astonishment and unexpectedness.

a wondrous spectacle

Implies a grand and impressive display or sight.

FAQs

How can I use "an astounding thing" in a sentence?

You can use "an astounding thing" to describe something surprising or impressive. For example, "It's "an astounding thing" how quickly technology evolves."

What can I say instead of "an astounding thing"?

Alternatives include "a remarkable phenomenon", "an extraordinary event", or "an incredible feat", depending on the context.

Is "an astounding thing" formal or informal?

"An astounding thing" is suitable for both neutral and slightly formal contexts. However, consider your audience when choosing this phrase and use more formal alternatives if necessary.

What makes "an astounding thing" different from "an amazing thing"?

"Astounding" implies a higher degree of surprise or wonder than "amazing". While both describe something impressive, "astounding" suggests a more significant impact or revelation.