as a shock to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a shock to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a surprising or unexpected reaction to an event or situation. Example: "The news of the company's sudden closure came as a shock to the employees who had been working there for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It came as a shock to us.

The New York Times

"This came as a shock to us.

Columbia University

The change has come as a shock to workers.

The New York Times

The result has come as a shock to climate scientists.

The Guardian

Bowie's death came as a shock to the world.

The Guardian - Music

This might have come as a shock to many people.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This will come as a shock to all staff.

The Guardian - Business

"It comes as a shock to us," he said.

The Guardian

He describes the change as a "shock to the system".

The Guardian - Sport

In Albuquerque, that event came as a shock to few.

The New Yorker

And this came as a shock to the industry.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a shock to" to introduce an unexpected reaction or outcome, ensuring it logically connects to the subject experiencing the surprise.

Common error

Avoid overuse; ensure the phrase genuinely conveys surprise, not just mild interest or routine information. Overusing "as a shock to" diminishes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a shock to" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating the manner in which an event or information is received. Ludwig examples show it consistently precedes a noun or pronoun, specifying who experiences the surprise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

25%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a shock to" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to convey surprise or unexpectedness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, showcasing its prevalence across diverse contexts like news, academia, and general communication. With a neutral register, it fits both formal and informal settings. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects genuine surprise and avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as "to the surprise of" or "unexpectedly" can add variety. Given its very common usage in authoritative sources, it's a reliable choice for expressing unexpectedness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to the surprise of

Slightly more direct and simple way of expressing surprise.

much to one's surprise

Emphasizes the extent of surprise experienced.

to everyone's surprise

Emphasizes the general feeling of surprise among people.

to one's astonishment

Highlights a strong feeling of surprise and wonder.

out of the blue

Indicates the sudden and unforeseen nature of the event.

caught off guard

Suggests a lack of preparedness or anticipation.

unexpectedly

Focuses on the lack of anticipation for the event.

contrary to expectations

Focuses on how the event defied what was anticipated.

to the dismay of

Highlights the disappointment and distress caused by the event.

against all odds

Highlights the unlikelihood of the event happening.

FAQs

How can I use "as a shock to" in a sentence?

Use "as a shock to" to describe someone's surprise or disbelief regarding an event. For example, "The company's bankruptcy came "as a shock to" its investors".

What are some alternatives to saying "as a shock to"?

You can use alternatives like "to the surprise of", "unexpectedly", or "to one's astonishment" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always appropriate to use "as a shock to"?

While grammatically correct, ensure the context genuinely warrants surprise. Using it for mildly surprising events can dilute its impact.

How does the formality of "as a shock to" compare to its alternatives?

"As a shock to" is generally neutral. Alternatives like "to one's astonishment" might be more formal, while "out of the blue" is more informal.