an unexpected surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

"an unexpected surprise" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe any surprise that was unexpected. For example, "My parents gave me an unexpected surprise for my birthday-- they took me on a vacation!".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it was an unexpected 30 points, 21 rebounds and 5 blocked shots against Michigan early in the season that raised eyebrows.

The New York Times - Sports

However, due to the Conservative vote at Brighton one week later, an unexpected 8-to-1 in favor of going into Europe, it now seems that Mr. Wilson will have to retract his offer to the backbenchers in the Party.

The New Yorker

If faced with an unexpected $400 expense, 4 in 10 adults said they would not have the money to cover it, according to a report last year from the Federal Reserve.

The Washington Post

Under Harbaugh last season, though, Alex Smith quarterbacked the 49ers to an unexpected 13-3 record and a narrow loss in the conference championship game.

The New York Times - Sports

But the man was coming to understand that his therapist was not going to let him out of this exercise until he had navigated his way along (1) an emotionally honest path to (2) an unexpected (3) yet inevitable destination.

The New Yorker

However, the corresponding 7-epimer 5 (derivative of 7-epi-goniofufurone) under the similar reaction conditions gave mainly 7-deoxy derivative 7 as a result of an unexpected 1,5-hydride shift.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters

At around 240 min there was an unexpected 8 min power outage after which the drum was restarted.

Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture

Despite a closed market, the Labor Department announced that March non-farm payrolls grew by an unexpected 180,000, crushing the consensus estimate for an increase of 168,000.

Forbes

It's early on the Monday morning, post-snowmaggedon 2016, and I have an unexpected 10 minutes to spare.

Huffington Post

Ring made an unexpected 67 and Morris scored 45 as Australia compiled 255, but it was not enough; the West Indies reached the target with six wickets in hand.

Wikipedia

However, an unexpected 2.2-fold increase in IL-18 level was observed in the contralateral knee from D1 to D2 after the antigenic challenge.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "an unexpected surprise" to add emphasis when highlighting a truly unforeseen and welcome event. Its slight redundancy can actually strengthen the feeling of genuine surprise.

Common error

While acceptable, "an unexpected surprise" can become repetitive if used too frequently. Vary your language by choosing synonyms like "a delightful surprise" or "a welcome surprise" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unexpected surprise" functions as a noun phrase, where "unexpected" modifies the noun "surprise". Though technically redundant, it's used to emphasize the unforeseen nature of the surprise. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while technically redundant, the phrase "an unexpected surprise" is an acceptable and commonly understood expression used to emphasize the unforeseen and often welcome nature of a surprise. As Ludwig AI validates, it serves to highlight feelings of astonishment and pleasure. To prevent overuse and maintain reader engagement, consider substituting with alternatives such as "a delightful surprise" or "a welcome surprise". The phrase has a neutral register and can be used in most contexts. Due to the absence of real-world examples, the frequency is labeled as 'Missing'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a welcome surprise

Emphasizes the positive reception of the unexpected event.

a delightful surprise

Focuses on the positive and enjoyable aspect of the surprise.

a sudden delight

Highlights the abrupt and pleasant nature of the experience.

an unforeseen pleasure

Stresses the unanticipated and enjoyable quality.

a surprise out of nowhere

Focuses on the lack of anticipation surrounding the event.

a bolt from the blue

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the sudden and unexpected nature.

an unlooked-for joy

Highlights the unexpected and pleasurable nature of the experience.

a happy accident

Highlights the fortuitous and unplanned nature of the event.

a serendipitous event

Emphasizes the lucky and unplanned nature of the discovery.

a complete revelation

Emphasizes the revealing and surprising nature of the event.

FAQs

Is it redundant to say "an unexpected surprise"?

Yes, the phrase is technically redundant because a surprise is, by definition, unexpected. However, the phrase is widely used and understood, often for emphasis.

What can I say instead of "an unexpected surprise" to avoid redundancy?

You can use alternatives like "a delightful surprise", "a welcome surprise", or "a sudden delight" depending on the context.

How can I use "an unexpected surprise" effectively in a sentence?

Use "an unexpected surprise" to highlight a truly unforeseen and positive event. For example, "The award was an unexpected surprise, and I am deeply grateful."

Is there a difference in formality between "an unexpected surprise" and "a serendipitous event"?

"An unexpected surprise" is generally considered neutral in formality. In contrast, "a serendipitous event" is more formal and suitable for academic or sophisticated writing.