becomes surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "becomes surprising" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation or event that unexpectedly changes to something that causes surprise or astonishment. Example: "As the story unfolded, it becomes surprising how the seemingly ordinary characters revealed their hidden depths."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Eventually nothing becomes surprising.

Independent

The expected becomes surprising.

Huffington Post

It becomes surprising, really genuinely surprising when we read about or hear about this backlash because it's truly out of respect for the game and not in any way to try to draw attention to us as fans but what seems to be the right, respectful way to appreciate the world's best sport…It's funny because that sort of vitriol seems to have increased dramatically this year.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Their motives and actions become surprising and interesting; the depiction of the characters is now shadowed by social circumstances rather than rigidly dictated by them.

The New York Times - Books

"Altamira oriole, ladder-backed woodpecker, vermilion flycatcher, Carnivet's emerald hummingbird, turquoise-browed motmot … " The pace of birds became surprising, then astonishing, then ridiculous.

The Guardian - Travel

Details that are often imprisoned within traditional performances, such as the duet of horns in the third movement, became surprising moments of enormous virtuosity.

The Guardian

They changed the mix in a perceptible but not overwhelming way, just as a squeeze of lemon can brighten the taste of cooked greens, and they seemed to change themselves, too; their simple shapes and punky pink became surprising and elegant.

The New York Times

This hidden reference is probably a clue to ways that the app can become surprising (or toxic!) over time.

Forbes

With Nashville emerging as a capital of the health care industry and Israel making its mark on innovations in the automotive industry, many unanticipated locations are catering to niche industries and become surprising hotbeds for technology talent.

Forbes

The meerkats' frequently short lives and brutal deaths become surprising and disturbing to some audiences.

Wikipedia

But just how important it has become is surprising.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "becomes surprising" with adverbs to refine the level or nature of surprise, such as "increasingly surprising" or "genuinely surprising".

Common error

Avoid using "becomes surprising" when the surprise is inherently obvious or expected from the context. Overusing the phrase in such scenarios diminishes its impact and can make your writing seem redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becomes surprising" functions as a linking verb ("becomes") connecting a subject with a subject complement ("surprising"). It describes a transformation or a state of change, indicating that something is evolving into a state of surprise. This aligns with the Ludwig AI which marks the phrase as correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "becomes surprising" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe an unexpected transition into a state of surprise. While it isn't very common, its usage spans news, science, and academia, making it a versatile phrase for neutral to professional communication. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. To enhance your writing, use it to highlight genuine shifts in perception, and avoid overusing it in predictable contexts. Consider related phrases like "turns out to be astonishing" or "proves to be unexpected" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turns out to be astonishing

Emphasizes the unexpected and remarkable nature of the outcome, focusing on the result.

proves to be unexpected

Highlights the realization that something is different than initially thought, shifting the focus to the unveiling of the unexpected.

evolves into an amazement

Focuses on the gradual development of something into a state of wonder, emphasizing the process.

ends up being startling

Highlights the shocking aspect of the final result. It emphasizes the intensity of the surprise.

reveals itself as astonishing

Focuses on the act of unveiling something amazing, shifting the emphasis to the revealing process.

develops into a shock

Focuses on the gradual process and the shocking nature of the outcome, emphasizing the transformation.

is unexpectedly transforming

Highlights the sudden and unforeseen change occurring, emphasizing the active transformation.

results in a marvel

Emphasizes the admirable quality of the outcome, focusing on the positive consequence.

gradually amazes

Focuses on the steady increase in wonder, highlighting the slow and subtle nature of the effect.

unexpectedly impresses

Highlights the pleasing and unanticipated effect, focusing on the positive impact.

FAQs

How can I use "becomes surprising" in a sentence?

You can use "becomes surprising" to describe something that unexpectedly changes to become astonishing or causes wonder. For example, "As the story unfolded, it "becomes surprising" how the seemingly ordinary characters revealed their hidden depths".

What are some alternatives to "becomes surprising"?

Alternatives include "turns out to be astonishing", "proves to be unexpected", or "ends up being startling", each emphasizing different aspects of the unexpected transformation.

Is "becomes surprising" formal or informal?

"Becomes surprising" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "becomes surprising" and "is surprising"?

"Is surprising" describes something that is inherently surprising at a given moment. "Becomes surprising" implies a change over time, where something transitions from not being surprising to being surprising. The phrase "it "becomes surprising"" indicates a process of realization or transformation that leads to surprise.