coming as a big surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "coming as a big surprise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or piece of information that is unexpected or shocking to someone. Example: "The news of her promotion was coming as a big surprise to everyone in the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The deal between NTT Docomo and Twitter isn't coming as a big surprise, given how popular Twitter is in Japan.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The 16percentt came as a big surprise".

The New York Times

None of this should come as a big surprise.

The New York Times

It came as a big surprise to me.

Independent

"What we found came as a big surprise," Dr. Breteler said.

The New York Times - Health

Yet still his latest comes as a big surprise.

The Guardian - Film

So this has not come as a big surprise".

The New York Times

After the long build-up, the announcement came as a big surprise.

Columbia University

Now, if you're not a writer or editor, this may come as a big surprise.

Independent

So it came as a big surprise now, these two pullouts for me.

The New York Times - Sports

"The result came as a big surprise — the kind we always hope for," Ms. Kegel remarked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "coming as a big surprise" to emphasize the unexpected nature of an event or information, especially when highlighting its impact on individuals or a group.

Common error

Avoid using "coming as a big surprise" excessively in formal or academic writing where more precise or nuanced language may be appropriate. Consider alternatives like "unexpected development" or "unanticipated outcome" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coming as a big surprise" functions as a descriptive phrase, often acting as a predicate adjective to describe a noun or event. It signifies that something was not anticipated and had a notable impact. Ludwig's analysis confirms the phrase's correct usage and widespread presence across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "coming as a big surprise" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe unexpected events or information. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread presence in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's best used in contexts where emphasizing the element of surprise and its impact is desired. Alternative phrases such as "completely unexpected" or "proving to be a shock" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfolding as a major surprise

Focuses on the unfolding of events leading to surprise.

proving to be a shock

Highlights the shocking nature of the event, rather than just surprise.

taking everyone by surprise

Shifts the focus to the effect on others, implying widespread astonishment.

being completely unexpected

Emphasizes the lack of anticipation, differing in sentence structure.

turning out to be astonishing

Highlights the astonishing nature, emphasizing the result.

arriving unexpectedly

Focuses on the suddenness of the arrival, omitting the element of surprise's magnitude.

proving to be quite a revelation

Suggests something previously unknown being disclosed unexpectedly.

creating a significant stir

Indicates a disturbance or excitement caused by the unexpected event.

materializing unexpectedly

Emphasizes the sudden appearance of something, with an element of surprise.

surfacing unexpectedly

Highlights the unexpected appearance or discovery of something.

FAQs

How can I use "coming as a big surprise" in a sentence?

You can use "coming as a big surprise" to describe an unexpected event or piece of news. For example, "The announcement of the merger was "coming as a big surprise" to the employees."

What are some alternatives to "coming as a big surprise"?

Alternatives include "completely unexpected", "proving to be a shock", or "taking everyone by surprise" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "coming as a big surprise"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the unexpected and surprising nature of an event, especially when it has a significant impact on someone or something.

What's the difference between "coming as a big surprise" and "unexpected"?

"Coming as a big surprise" is a phrase that emphasizes both the unexpected nature and the significant impact of something, while "unexpected" simply denotes that something was not anticipated. The phrase adds a layer of astonishment or shock that the single word does not.