came as such a shock

USAGE SUMMARY

'came as such a shock' is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to express surprise or astonishment at an unexpected event or situation. Example: The news of her sudden resignation came as such a shock to all of us, as she had always seemed happy and fulfilled in her job.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

No wonder, then, that "The Shack," the second act, came as such a shock.

The New York Times

That's why the murder of kids came as such a shock".

The New York Times

The annulment came as such a shock to the populace that it threw the country into a prolonged crisis.

The Guardian - Opinion

Still, locking the doors came as such a shock that no one seemed certain of what would happen next.

The New York Times

At the age of 38, with plenty of high-level experience under her wing, the termination came as such a shock that she is considering legal action.

The Guardian

Which is why it came as such a shock when my mother suddenly pulled the plug on the whole operation in 1973, when I was 12.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

It's frightening and has come as such a shock to us".

The Guardian - Film

Given the essential consistency of this schedule, why do the holidays come as such a shock?

The New York Times

It is the severity of the ad downturn since then that has come as such a shock.

The Economist

The death three weeks later of Merce Cunningham, grandaddy of modernism and Manhattan's nattiest Doc Martens-wearer, shouldn't have come as such a shock, given his age.

Independent

Which is why it comes as such a shock when you read Newman's histories of people like Adam (a pseudonym, like all the names in the book).

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "came as such a shock", ensure that the context clearly establishes what was surprising or unexpected to enhance the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid overuse. "Came as such a shock" is strong; reserving it for genuinely surprising or impactful situations maintains its effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came as such a shock" functions as a descriptor, emphasizing the unexpected and surprising nature of an event or piece of information. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "came as such a shock" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express significant surprise or astonishment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, this phrase effectively communicates the unexpected nature of events. To maximize impact, reserve it for genuinely surprising situations, and be mindful of its neutral register. Alternatives like "came as a complete surprise" and "was utterly astonishing" offer similar ways to convey surprise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was wholly unexpected

Stresses that the event was not anticipated at all.

came as a complete surprise

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the event.

took everyone by surprise

Indicates that the event was unexpected for a group of people.

was utterly astonishing

Highlights the level of amazement experienced.

proved to be quite startling

Focuses on the initial, abrupt shock of the event.

prompted immense surprise

Focuses on the sudden feeling of surprise and reaction to an unexpected event.

generated considerable astonishment

Highlights public reaction and widespread surprise.

left people in disbelief

Highlights how shocking the situation was, causing doubt.

was genuinely flabbergasting

Shows great surprise and bewilderment.

turned out to be an eye-opener

Highlights a surprising revelation or realization.

FAQs

How can I use "came as such a shock" in a sentence?

Use "came as such a shock" to emphasize the surprising or unexpected nature of an event or piece of news. For example, "The sudden announcement "came as such a shock" to the entire team".

What are some alternatives to saying "came as such a shock"?

You could use phrases like "came as a complete surprise", "was utterly astonishing", or "took everyone by surprise" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it ever incorrect to use "came as such a shock"?

While grammatically correct, overuse of "came as such a shock" can diminish its impact. Reserve it for situations where the surprise or astonishment is truly significant.

What's the difference between "came as a shock" and "came as such a shock"?

The addition of "such" intensifies the degree of surprise. "Came as such a shock" implies a greater level of astonishment than simply "came as a shock".