astonishing situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "astonishing situation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a scenario that is surprising or hard to believe. Example: "The astonishing situation unfolded when the small town won the national lottery, changing the lives of its residents forever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In particular, the UK resolution would end the astonishing situation where the 89 IWC member states are allowed to pay their annual subscriptions by cheque or in cash, instead of by bank transfer, as is the normal case with international organisations.

Independent

Such flops leave Ford with no product in categories that account for around 35% of the European market an astonishing situation for a leading world car company.The other trend that Ford missed was the switch to diesel from petrol across most European markets.

The Economist

Lawrence then takes the reader on the bumpy, bloody road leading to the astonishing situation today: a Kurd, Jalal Talabani, is the president of Iraq, and Mustafa Barzani's son Massoud Barzani is president of a Kurdish region that enjoys extraordinary autonomy and wealth.

The New York Times - Books

Had we excluded WA from the national count, the rate would have risen to 5.3%, whereas if we had taken away other states, the national rate would have either stayed the same or risen: Given Western Australia only accounts for around 11% of Australia's labour force, it was an astonishing situation where it in effect balanced out the rest of the country.

The Guardian - Business

It's an astonishing situation to be in at the start of the 21st century - that is, until you consider some of the antiquated attitudes that still abound when it comes to the idea of women having access to what men always have, that basic combination that is actually being referred to when people sneer about pushy women wanting to "have it all": a career and a family.

The Guardian - Money

Described as an "astonishing situation" by the inspectors, more than a third of prisoners interviewed had felt unsafe at some time, while drugs and alcohol were widely available on the D wing, which was shut down shortly after the inspection.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The drama is of the spectacular kind, arranged in tableaux and abounding in astonishing situations.

The New York Times

"Above all we understood that the 'pin-and-slot' identified by Wright modelled the variable motion of the moon in a way that is astonishing". The situation became increasingly rancorous.

BBC

The more I look at Magic Leap, the more astonishing the situation is.

HuffPost

Trace's story may be particularly astonishing, but her situation is far from unique.

Vice

Each spread features a full-bleed and disconcertingly close-up image of a snake (or, in a few cases, snakes) in astonishing poses and situations.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "astonishing situation" when you want to convey a sense of surprise and disbelief about a particular set of circumstances. It's more impactful than simply stating something is surprising.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "astonishing situation". While effective, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language with synonyms like "remarkable circumstance" or "surprising development" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "astonishing situation" functions primarily as a descriptive element, modifying a noun (situation) with an adjective (astonishing). It characterizes the situation as surprising, remarkable, or difficult to believe. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "astonishing situation" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that effectively conveys surprise and disbelief about a particular set of circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, academia, and science, indicating a neutral to professional register. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "remarkable circumstance" or "surprising development" for variety. As shown by Ludwig, the examples reflect a broad range of contexts where unexpected events or conditions warrant emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarkable circumstance

Emphasizes the noteworthiness and unusual quality of the situation without necessarily implying surprise.

surprising development

Focuses on the unexpected progression or unfolding of events within the situation.

unforeseen event

Highlights the lack of anticipation or predictability associated with the situation.

unexpected turn of events

Stresses a deviation from the expected course, making the situation surprising.

extraordinary state of affairs

Indicates a condition or set of circumstances that is beyond the ordinary or typical.

unbelievable scenario

Highlights the difficulty in accepting the situation as true or real.

remarkable state

Focuses on the condition being noteworthy and exceptional, omitting the element of surprise.

uncommon occurrence

Underscores the infrequency and atypical nature of the situation.

exceptional case

Highlights the situation as being an outlier or deviation from the norm.

peculiar circumstance

Emphasizes the odd or unusual aspects of the situation, suggesting something strange or curious.

FAQs

How can I use "astonishing situation" in a sentence?

You can use "astonishing situation" to describe any circumstance that is surprising or hard to believe. For example, "The fact that they won after being down by 20 points created an astonishing situation".

What can I say instead of "astonishing situation"?

You can use alternatives like ""remarkable circumstance"", ""surprising development"", or "unforeseen event" depending on the specific context.

Is "astonishing situation" formal or informal?

"Astonishing situation" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "extraordinary state of affairs" for a more elevated tone.

What makes a situation "astonishing"?

A situation is "astonishing" when it evokes surprise and disbelief, often due to its unexpected or remarkable nature. It goes beyond being merely surprising; it implies a significant departure from what is expected or considered normal.