and sometimes surprisingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and sometimes surprisingly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs unexpectedly or in a way that is not anticipated, often adding emphasis to the surprising nature of the situation. Example: "The results of the experiment were positive, and sometimes surprisingly, they exceeded our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

My time at Yasnaya Polyana, Tolstoy's country estate, was never dull; and sometimes, surprisingly comic.

The New Yorker

Doll is irascible and voracious, untrustworthy and sometimes surprisingly vulnerable, while Hemmingway is her polar opposite: respectable, upstanding and aloof, even with her own daughter.

The New York Times - Books

It's rough and ready, locals-only, and the bands are sometimes rubbish and sometimes surprisingly awesome: She Keeps Bees, or Peter Bjorn on the mainstream vibe.

The Guardian - Music

The clips, from unnamed nudist-camp "documentaries" to classics of the genre like "Scum of the Earth" and "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS," are consistently diverting and sometimes surprisingly artful.

The New York Times

But the celebrity testimonials are secondary to the recollections of the producers and engineers who shepherded the band along on its strange, shambling course — not just Dickinson but John Fry of the band's label, Ardent, who provides a steady and sometimes surprisingly sentimental voice.

The New Yorker

While Mr. Bush delegates authority, his aides contend that he keeps his eye on the big picture, is more involved in decision-making than Mr. Reagan ever was and is not afraid to overrule his advisers, seeking progress reports and keeping staff discussions focused with penetrating and sometimes surprisingly simple but provocative questions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The back-and-forth between the soulful stuff that she writes about her family and the sometimes surprisingly catty stuff that she writes about her working life (she is not particularly kind about her editors at the Times) is conscious, certainly, but also deeply felt.

The New Yorker

Soon came the changes, swift and sure: shorter articles, less depth, an increased emphasis on politics and, weirdly, sometimes surprisingly unsophisticated coverage of business.

The New York Times

"Although there is a plan - of course when you have that many hands on deck, things take their own path and directions, sometimes surprisingly.

The New York Times

All of these films have been praised for their clever story lines and their sometimes surprisingly deep characters; they are good movies, even if their provenance is based on calculated corporate motives.

The New Yorker

Studies in recent years have shown that humans absorb and inhale sometimes surprisingly high levels of toiletry ingredients.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and sometimes surprisingly" to add an element of unexpectedness or mild astonishment to a statement. It's effective when you want to highlight that a particular outcome wasn't necessarily predictable.

Common error

While "and sometimes surprisingly" can be effective, avoid using it too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Opt for more varied phrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and sometimes surprisingly" functions as a conjunction phrase, linking two related ideas while adding an element of unexpectedness. It modifies the subsequent clause, indicating that the outcome or characteristic being described is not always predictable. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "and sometimes surprisingly" is a grammatically sound conjunction phrase used to introduce an element of unexpectedness. As supported by Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. The phrase finds its prevalence in News & Media, Science, Encyclopedias and Wiki, with a neutral register that makes it versatile across different contexts. While not exceedingly common, its usage is well-established. When using the phrase, remember to employ it judiciously to avoid repetition. Alternative phrases such as ""and occasionally unexpectedly"" or ""and at times astonishingly"" can offer stylistic variations while maintaining the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and on occasion surprisingly

Uses "on occasion" as a substitute for "sometimes", keeping "surprisingly" to maintain a focus on the unexpected nature.

and occasionally unexpectedly

Replaces "sometimes" with "occasionally" and "surprisingly" with "unexpectedly" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

and periodically unexpectedly

Replaces "sometimes" with "periodically" and "surprisingly" with "unexpectedly", suggesting recurring but irregular instances of surprise.

and at times astonishingly

Uses "at times" instead of "sometimes" and "astonishingly" instead of "surprisingly", highlighting the degree of surprise.

and infrequently surprisingly

Emphasizes the rare occurrence of the surprising event by replacing "sometimes" with "infrequently".

and now and then remarkably

Substitutes "sometimes" with "now and then" and "surprisingly" with "remarkably", implying infrequent but noteworthy instances.

and sporadically remarkably

Highlights the irregular nature of the surprising event by substituting "sometimes" with "sporadically" and "surprisingly" with "remarkably".

and from time to time unexpectedly

Employs "from time to time" to replace "sometimes" and "unexpectedly" for "surprisingly", focusing on the infrequent nature of the surprise.

and unexpectedly at times

Inverts the structure to place "unexpectedly" first and uses "at times" for "sometimes", shifting the emphasis slightly.

and every so often astonishingly

Replaces "sometimes" with "every so often" and "surprisingly" with "astonishingly", emphasizing the infrequency and intensity of the surprise.

FAQs

How can I use "and sometimes surprisingly" in a sentence?

Use "and sometimes surprisingly" to introduce an unexpected element or outcome in a sentence. For example, "The project faced many challenges, and sometimes surprisingly, we met all the deadlines."

What are some alternatives to "and sometimes surprisingly"?

Alternatives include "and occasionally unexpectedly", "and at times astonishingly", or "and on occasion surprisingly", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "and"?

While some traditional grammar rules discourage starting sentences with "and", it is now widely accepted in modern writing, especially for stylistic effect. Using "and" can create a smoother flow and emphasize the connection between ideas.

How does "and sometimes surprisingly" differ from "but surprisingly"?

"And sometimes surprisingly" adds an unexpected element while maintaining a connection to the previous statement. "But surprisingly" introduces a contrast or contradiction, highlighting a more significant departure from what was expected.