astonishing timing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "astonishing timing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something happens at a remarkably appropriate or surprising moment. Example: "The comedian's punchline came at an astonishing timing, leaving the audience in fits of laughter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Arts

Sports

Opinion

Music

Science

Health

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

With astonishing timing, the unravelling of the Gosselin marriage happened only a matter of weeks before the new season of their show debuted.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Designed by ex-members of the Harmonix team (makers of Guitar Hero and Rock Band), it's a visually astonishing test of timing and coordination.

The Guardian - Tech

His timing is astonishing: he's down and then he's up again, and his big feet slap the floor with a great "whack" at the start of a phrase.

The New Yorker

"The timing is just astonishing to me.

The New York Times - Sports

The virtuosity is elsewhere, in the dancers' astonishing gymnastic skills and acute timing.

The New York Times - Arts

It's as if he's ticking off a list of unimaginable feats one after another -- but in fact his rhythm, with phrasing far more subtle than mere clock timing, is more astonishing than his balance.

The New York Times

This time, with uncanny timing, his country has been battered by the even stronger super-typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful ever recorded anywhere – 25 miles (40km) wide and reaching astonishing speeds of possibly 200mph (3200mph).

The Guardian - Opinion

For all the attention it got for timing (early) and snow accumulation (astonishing) and — if there were a way to measure this — annoyance and aggravation, the freakish northeaster of October may well be remembered as the Grinch that stole Halloween.

The New York Times

Even with her, though, the Mariinsky "Firebird" was lightweight music-drama when compared with the still astonishing moment-by-moment suspense, seriousness and timing of the best performances (many of them) given by the Royal Ballet of London over the last 35 years.

The New York Times - Arts

Whether detailing the agonising death throes of a relationship – or rather, his relationship – on You Don't Have To, or enumerating his multiple personal failings on GMF, his lyrics are frequently astonishing, filled with vivid metaphors and perfect comic timing.

The Guardian - Music

With the elections coming, the timing of Gergiyev's Shostakovich concerts was astonishing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events that unfold with unexpected precision, "astonishing timing" can be employed to enhance the impact of your description, indicating an element of fate or serendipity.

Common error

Avoid using "astonishing timing" when the timing is merely convenient or expected. The phrase is best reserved for situations where the concurrence of events is genuinely surprising or remarkable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "astonishing timing" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "astonishing" modifies the noun "timing". Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in describing a surprising or remarkable concurrence of events. The examples indicate that it's generally used to highlight unexpected precision.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Arts

6%

Less common in

Opinion

1%

Sports

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "astonishing timing" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in English, employed to describe a situation where something occurs at a remarkably appropriate or surprising moment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively infrequent, it is found in diverse contexts, primarily in news and media. Alternatives include "remarkable timing" or "incredible timing", depending on the desired nuance. This phrase works best when highlighting genuine surprise and should be avoided in mundane situations. The examples from Ludwig showcase a phrase employed when a perfect coincidence arises and is emphasized by the author.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarkable timing

Replaces "astonishing" with "remarkable", maintaining a similar sense of impressiveness and surprise.

incredible timing

Substitutes "astonishing" with "incredible", highlighting the unbelievable or extraordinary aspect of the timing.

amazing timing

Uses "amazing" in place of "astonishing", conveying a feeling of wonder and amazement at the timing.

surprising timing

Focuses on the unexpectedness of the timing, replacing "astonishing" with "surprising".

fortuitous timing

Emphasizes the luck or chance involved in the timing, using "fortuitous" instead of "astonishing".

opportune moment

Highlights the suitability and advantage provided by the timing, using "opportune" instead of "astonishing".

perfect synchronicity

Highlights the harmonious alignment of events in time, offering a more abstract alternative.

coincidental moment

Focuses on the coincidental nature of the timing.

serendipitous moment

Focuses on the fortunate and unexpected nature of the moment itself, rather than the timing as an attribute.

unforeseen opportunity

Shifts the emphasis to the opportunity created by the timing, rather than the timing itself.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "astonishing timing" in a sentence?

Use "astonishing timing" to highlight a surprising or remarkable coincidence in the occurrence of events. For example, "The company's breakthrough came with "astonishing timing", just as their funding was about to run out."

What are some alternatives to "astonishing timing"?

You can use alternatives such as "remarkable timing", "incredible timing", or "surprising timing" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "astonishing timing" over simpler phrases like "good timing"?

"Astonishing timing" is best used when the timing is not just good, but also unexpectedly perfect or strikingly coincidental. It implies a sense of wonder or disbelief that "good timing" does not.

Is "astonishing timing" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "astonishing timing" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when describing events in a narrative or analytical context where the timing is a key factor. However, consider the context and audience to ensure it aligns with the overall tone.