be very surprising if

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be very surprising if" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is unlikely or unexpected to happen. Example: "It would be very surprising if the team lost the match after such a strong performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

It'd be very surprising if he didn't play it.

The New Yorker

It would be very surprising if it failed.

The New Yorker

It would be very surprising if he were freelancing.

The Guardian

It would be very surprising if they didn't.

The Guardian

It would be very surprising if this doesn't end up costing the company many billions of dollars.

The New Yorker

I think it would be very surprising if there's still sizeable aftermarket support a few days from now.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

"It was very surprising, if terminal cancer can ever surprise you," Ms. Smith said.

The New York Times - Style

In fact it would have been very surprising if we hadn't learned to look at the city this way.

Los Angeles Times

It would be very surprising, for instance, if the new Congress did not try to repeal the current law barring Medicare from bargaining for lower prices with drug companies.

The New Yorker

And given the massive destruction in household wealth, it would be very surprising (and not very beneficial) if we go back to saving nothing.

The New Yorker

These observations likely will be very surprising to most American if not to most European and Japanese businesses and investors.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity and conciseness, consider replacing "be very surprising if" with alternatives such as "would be unexpected if" or "would defy expectations if" in situations where the emphasis isn't crucial.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "be very surprising if" in your writing. While it's a valid expression, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using other expressions to convey surprise or improbability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be very surprising if" functions as a conditional clause, expressing improbability or unexpectedness. It sets up a hypothetical scenario and suggests that the outcome is unlikely to occur. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts to convey a sense of disbelief or astonishment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be very surprising if" is a versatile phrase used to express improbability or unexpectedness. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It is most commonly found in news and media sources, with neutral register. When writing, remember to vary your language and consider alternative phrases to avoid repetition. The phrase is generally appropriate for most contexts, but more formal language might be preferred in specific instances. The high expert rating reflects the phrase's grammatical soundness, broad usage, and authoritative sourcing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would be quite unexpected if

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the event.

would be rather astonishing if

Highlights the degree of astonishment associated with the event.

would be fairly remarkable if

Focuses on the noteworthy aspect of the event.

would be hardly believable if

Stresses the difficulty in accepting the event as true.

would be truly exceptional if

Points out the extraordinary nature of the event.

might come as a shock if

Highlights the potential for surprise and disbelief.

it defies expectation if

Suggests the event goes against what is normally anticipated.

it's against all odds if

Indicates a low probability of the event occurring.

it goes against the grain if

Implies the event is contrary to the established pattern.

it would buck the trend if

Emphasizes the event's deviation from the prevailing trend.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be very surprising if"?

Alternatives include "would be quite unexpected if", "might come as a shock if", or "would be rather astonishing if", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "surprising" or "unexpected" in this context?

Both "surprising" and "unexpected" work well, but "surprising" emphasizes the element of astonishment, while "unexpected" simply means not anticipated. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

How formal is the phrase "be very surprising if"?

The phrase "be very surprising if" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for more formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "would be quite unexpected if".

What's the difference between "be very surprising if" and "be surprised if"?

"Be very surprising if" indicates that an event's occurrence is improbable or unexpected. "Be surprised if", on the other hand, indicates the speaker's likely emotional reaction (surprise) if the event occurs.