an extraordinary surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an extraordinary surprise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a surprise that is remarkable or exceptional in nature. Example: "When she walked into the surprise party, the look on her face showed that it was truly an extraordinary surprise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

She just was an extraordinary surprise, because I was accustomed to Peggy Ashcroft and Dorothy Tutin, that style of acting".

The New Yorker

So that he has even considered the boldest corporate action by Sainsbury's since – well, its disposal of Homebase for £1bn in 2000 – is an extraordinary surprise.

Independent

Ashton, whose selection is both an extraordinary surprise and a reminder that the other 26 value Britain's role more than we often realise, is a very able centre-left realist.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is Christ as Salvator Mundi, a work recently conserved, studied and attributed to Leonardo – an event that the exhibition's curator Luke Sysons, briefly emerging from scholarly understatement in his catalogue essay, calls "an extraordinary surprise".

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Scarcely a single witness had seen more than one Velázquez, and many testified to the extraordinary surprise of this one, the face of the long-dead prince flashing up into a timeless present.

The Guardian - Arts

For big cats and meerkats Some of my most memorable wildlife experiences have happened in deserts, timeless and seemingly featureless places, that can throw up the most extraordinary surprises.

The Guardian - Travel

Exactly what the next half-century of catenane research will uncover is impossible to foresee, but surely it will be as rich, diverse, and full of extraordinary surprises as the first fifty years.

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition

But he wrote novels and poetry too, and it was an extraordinary and puzzling surprise for him, he said, when last month in The New York Times Book Review, Francine Prose, reviewing "The Death of the Adversary" and "Comedy in a Minor Key" -- two of his novels written more than 50 years ago -- called them masterpieces and labeled him a genius.

The New York Times

ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaker, last month started exporting iron ore from the west African nation, which is far stabler now than at the last election.In this section An October surprise An extraordinary exchange rate Hope is four-legged and woolly Mo money Uncomfortably polarised Lost in translation ReprintsBut problems are piling up too.

The Economist

Because all participants were working at the time of data collection, we were surprised that an extraordinary 39 of 828 (4.7% of total participants, 22.7% of those with point prevalent pain) were also reporting high pain ratings at that time.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

8 P.M. (ESPN) THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT In this "30 for 30" documentary, the writers Brian Koppelman and David Levien recount Jimmy Connors's run during the United States Open in 1991, when, as a 39-year-old wild-card entrant ranked 174th in the world, he surprised fans with an extraordinary match against Aaron Krickstein and went on to the semifinals.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an extraordinary surprise" to describe events that significantly deviate from expectations in a positive or intriguing way.

Common error

Avoid using "an extraordinary surprise" for trivial surprises; reserve it for genuinely remarkable or unexpected occurrences to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an extraordinary surprise" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing events or discoveries that are remarkably unexpected.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an extraordinary surprise" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe an event that is both unexpected and remarkable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and demonstrates its common usage in news and media contexts. While not overly frequent, it effectively conveys a sense of significant astonishment. When choosing this phrase, ensure the surprise is genuinely noteworthy to justify the emphasis provided by "extraordinary".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complete astonishment

Highlights the feeling of extreme surprise and disbelief.

an astounding revelation

Focuses on the shocking and impressive aspect of what was revealed.

an unexpected marvel

Stresses the wonderful and astonishing quality of the surprise.

a remarkable revelation

Emphasizes the unveiling of something noteworthy rather than just a surprise.

a delightful shock

Emphasizes the positive and pleasant nature of the surprise.

an exceptional discovery

Highlights the finding of something valuable or unique.

an incredible turn of events

Focuses on the unexpected change in circumstances.

a stunning disclosure

Implies a formal or official revelation that is also very surprising.

a welcome jolt

Suggests the surprise is energizing and positive, a refreshing change.

a phenomenal eye-opener

Highlights a shocking moment of realization.

FAQs

How can I use "an extraordinary surprise" in a sentence?

You can use "an extraordinary surprise" to describe a remarkable and unexpected event, such as, "The discovery of the ancient artifact was "an extraordinary surprise" to the archaeological team".

What phrases are similar to "an extraordinary surprise"?

Similar phrases include "a remarkable revelation", "an astounding revelation", or "a complete astonishment", each emphasizing different aspects of unexpectedness and significance.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "an extraordinary surprise"?

Use "an extraordinary surprise" when you want to highlight the exceptional and unexpected nature of something. It's best suited for situations where the surprise is genuinely noteworthy or significant.

Is there a difference between "an extraordinary surprise" and "an unexpected surprise"?

"An unexpected surprise" simply indicates that something was not anticipated. "An extraordinary surprise" /s/an+extraordinary+surprise emphasizes that the surprise was not only unexpected but also remarkable or exceptional in its nature or impact.