an unexpected comment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unexpected comment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a remark or statement that was not anticipated or foreseen in a conversation or discussion. Example: "During the meeting, she made an unexpected comment that changed the direction of the entire discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Then came an unexpected comment.

The New York Times

And then, an unexpected comment: "It does get difficult to keep things fresh".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Publicly, Obama strategist David Axelrod said that any unexpected comments had been outweighed by Biden's high popularity ratings.

Wikipedia

"It really was an unexpected result," comments microscopist Lindsay Keller of NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Science Magazine

Mr. Biden's unexpected comments in a TV interview last Sunday saying he supported the issue, which he had once opposed, appeared to have forced Mr. Obama to announce his own election-year change of heart on same-sex marriage on Wednesday, sooner than he had planned.

The New York Times

"He kept making funny faces at the camera and making unexpected comments," Mr. Bird said.

The New York Times

Some of the most unexpected comments came from Dr. Robert Jarvik, the inventor of the first artificial heart.

The New York Times

Father Martin Dolan, who has been a priest at the Church of St Nicholas of Myra in Francis Street, Dublin for 15 years, made the unexpected comments during mass.

The Guardian

Investors piled into riskier assets following unexpected comments from both the Bank of England and the European Central Bank suggesting that interest rates would remain low for some while and further stimulus to boost the global economy would be considered.

The Guardian - Business

He put the Observer on the national map during the 2008 presidential campaign when he drew unexpected comments out of several candidates, including Joe Biden, who famously and regrettably described his future boss, Barack Obama, to Jason as "the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy".

Huffington Post

On the eve of the National Basketball Association playoffs, the Knicks have been forced to deal with an unexpected distraction -- comments made by Charlie Ward, and to a lesser extent by Allan Houston, that have drawn the ire of the Anti-Defamation League.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an unexpected comment" to introduce a surprising or unforeseen remark in a narrative or analysis, signaling a shift in the conversation or topic.

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying too heavily on "an unexpected comment" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing by using synonyms like "a surprising remark" or "an unforeseen statement" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unexpected comment" functions as a noun phrase, where "unexpected" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "comment". This phrase typically introduces a surprising or unforeseen remark within a conversation or text. Ludwig provides examples where the phrase highlights unexpected turns in discussions or events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unexpected comment" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to introduce a surprising or unforeseen remark. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. While not exceedingly common, the phrase finds its primary contexts in news, media, and scientific publications. When writing, consider using alternatives like "a surprising remark" or "an unforeseen statement" to diversify your language. Remember that this phrase should be used to highlight deviations from an expected conversation or narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surprising remark

Replaces "unexpected" with "surprising", emphasizing the element of surprise.

an unforeseen statement

Substitutes "comment" with "statement" and "unexpected" with "unforeseen", offering a more formal tone.

an unanticipated remark

Uses "unanticipated" instead of "unexpected", highlighting the lack of anticipation.

an unpredicted statement

Replaces "unexpected" with "unpredicted", stressing that the comment was not predicted.

a surprise comment

Simplifies the phrase by directly using "surprise" as an adjective.

an out-of-the-blue remark

Emphasizes the sudden and unprompted nature of the comment using a more idiomatic expression.

a chance remark

Highlights the accidental or coincidental nature of the comment.

an impromptu statement

Replaces "unexpected" with "impromptu", focusing on the spontaneous nature of the statement.

a startling observation

Substitutes "comment" with "observation" and "unexpected" with "startling", emphasizing the surprising and potentially shocking nature of the remark.

a random comment

Highlights the lack of any apparent reason of the comment.

FAQs

How to use "an unexpected comment" in a sentence?

You can use "an unexpected comment" to introduce something surprising that someone said. For example: "During the presentation, she made "an unexpected comment" about the budget cuts."

What can I say instead of "an unexpected comment"?

You can use alternatives like "a surprising remark", "an unforeseen statement", or "an unanticipated remark" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "an unexpected comment" or "a unexpected comment"?

"An unexpected comment" is correct. The indefinite article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "an unexpected comment" and "a surprising comment"?

While both phrases convey a sense of surprise, ""an unexpected comment"" suggests something unforeseen or not anticipated, while "a surprising comment" simply highlights the element of surprise without necessarily implying a lack of anticipation.