as a surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

"as a surprise" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something was unexpectedly presented to someone. For example: "He presented her with a bouquet of flowers as a surprise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This came as a surprise.

The Economist

It came as a surprise.

The New York Times

This will not come as a surprise.

The Economist

Other great readings come as a surprise.

The New York Times - Books

Still, the move came as a surprise.

The New York Times

His NATO appointment came as a surprise.

The New Yorker

This comes as a surprise to me.

The New York Times

That should not come as a surprise.

The New York Times - Sports

The decision came as a surprise.

The New York Times

Still, the resignation came as a surprise.

The New York Times

None of this comes as a surprise.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a surprise" to add an element of unexpectedness to your writing. This phrase works well when describing events, gifts, or announcements that were not anticipated.

Common error

While "as a surprise" is a valid phrase, avoid using it too frequently in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "unexpectedly" or "out of the blue" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a surprise" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that something happened unexpectedly. According to Ludwig AI, this is a grammatically correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a surprise" is a commonly used and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something was unexpected. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in English writing. It functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses, to highlight the element of surprise. Its usage is most frequent in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various types of writing. Consider using synonyms or related phrases to add variety to your writing. Ludwig’s analysis finds that the phrase is widely accepted and well-understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpectedly

This is a single-word adverb that directly expresses the idea of something not being expected.

out of the blue

This idiom suggests something happening suddenly and without warning.

without prior notice

This phrase emphasizes the lack of advance warning before something occurred.

to one's astonishment

This phrase highlights the feeling of surprise and wonder experienced by someone.

unanticipated

This adjective describes something that was not foreseen or expected.

by surprise

This shorter phrase also indicates something unexpected happened.

all of a sudden

This emphasizes the suddenness of an event.

like a bolt from the blue

This idiom is similar to "out of the blue" but may suggest an even more shocking or impactful surprise.

unforeseen

This word highlights the fact that it was not foreseen.

in an unforeseen manner

This adverbial phrase emphasizes the unexpected way in which something happened.

FAQs

How can I use "as a surprise" in a sentence?

You can use "as a surprise" to indicate that something was unexpected, for example, "He planned a trip to Italy /s/as+a+surprise/ for their anniversary", or "The news of her promotion came /s/as+a+surprise/ to everyone".

What are some alternatives to using "as a surprise"?

Alternatives include "unexpectedly", "out of the blue", or "without prior notice", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "by surprise" or "as a surprise"?

Both "by surprise" and "as a surprise" are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "By surprise" usually describes the manner in which someone is affected (e.g., "He was taken by surprise"), while "as a surprise" describes the unexpected nature of an event or gift (e.g., "He gave her flowers as a surprise").

Can I use "as a surprise" at the beginning of a sentence?

While less common, you can use "as a surprise" at the beginning of a sentence, but it might sound slightly awkward. A more natural phrasing would often involve rephrasing the sentence to place "as a surprise" later on. For example, instead of "As a surprise, he bought her flowers", you could say "He bought her flowers /s/as+a+surprise/".