but surprisingly

USAGE SUMMARY

"but surprisingly" is an adverbial conjunction that is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce an unexpected conclusion or outcome. For example, "My day began with a lot of stress, but surprisingly, I was able to solve all my problems by the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But surprisingly, the show didn't.

Independent

Seemingly complicated, but surprisingly simple.

The New York Times - Food

The casino is vast but surprisingly elegant.

The New York Times - Travel

But, surprisingly, none involved Avery.

The New York Times - Sports

It's ridiculous, but surprisingly pleasant to see.

The New Yorker

But surprisingly few actually test this assumption.

Harvard Business Review

But, surprisingly, there is now an opportunity.

The Washington Post

The campaign was brief but surprisingly successful.

Harvard Business Review

It's a simple but surprisingly effective tactic.

The Guardian - Film

But surprisingly he isn't so pessimistic.

The New York Times - Books

But surprisingly, in each case the W.T.O.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but surprisingly" to introduce an outcome that significantly deviates from what might reasonably be expected based on prior information or common assumptions. This helps to create emphasis and interest for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "but surprisingly" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can dilute its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language by employing synonyms or rephrasing sentences to introduce unexpected elements more subtly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but surprisingly" functions as an adverbial conjunction. It connects two clauses, indicating a contrast while emphasizing that the second clause presents an unexpected or unanticipated outcome, as seen across various examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

19%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but surprisingly" serves as an effective adverbial conjunction to introduce unexpected contrasts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is found frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts, signaling a deviation from anticipated outcomes. While versatile, it should be used judiciously to maintain its impact. Common alternatives include "yet unexpectedly" and "contrary to expectations". Understanding these nuances will enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a surprising turn of events

Directly states the surprising nature of the sequence of events.

yet unexpectedly

Replaces "surprisingly" with "unexpectedly", keeping the contrasting conjunction "but" implied.

contrary to expectations

This alternative directly indicates that the outcome was opposite of what was anticipated.

however, against all odds

Replaces "but surprisingly" with a stronger phrase implying a greater level of improbability.

unexpectedly, however

Inverts the initial structure while maintaining the core meaning of surprise and contrast.

against all expectations, though

Similar to "contrary to expectations", but adds "though" for a conversational tone.

in an unforeseen turn of events

This phrase removes the direct contrast and focuses on the unexpected nature of the event.

it's an unexpected twist that

Emphasizes the narrative aspect of the surprising element.

it was unforeseen that

This alters the structure to emphasize the lack of prior anticipation.

who would have thought, though

Adds a rhetorical question to highlight the unexpected nature of the situation.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "but surprisingly" in a sentence?

Use "but surprisingly" to signal a contrast between an expected outcome and what actually happened. For example, "I expected the movie to be boring, but surprisingly, it was quite enjoyable."

What are some alternatives to "but surprisingly"?

You can use alternatives like "yet unexpectedly", "however, against all odds", or "contrary to expectations" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but surprisingly"?

While starting a sentence with "but surprisingly" is not strictly ungrammatical, it's generally better to place "but" before the clause you're contrasting and follow it with "surprisingly". For example, "I studied hard, but surprisingly, I failed the test."

What's the difference between "but surprisingly" and "however"?

"However" simply introduces a contrast, while "but surprisingly" emphasizes that the contrast is unexpected. "I went to the store, however, it was closed" vs. "I went to the store, but surprisingly, it was closed."