complete surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

"complete surprise" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You could use it in a sentence like this: The news of their pregnancy came as a complete surprise to their family.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They achieved complete surprise.

The New Yorker

"It was a complete surprise".

The New York Times - Arts

This was a complete surprise.

The New York Times - Arts

That finding was not a complete surprise.

The New Yorker

It took me by complete surprise.

The New Yorker

The retreat was not a complete surprise.

The New York Times

That is not a complete surprise.

The Economist

That shouldn't come as a complete surprise.

The New York Times - Tech

Bertha's problems are not a complete surprise.

The New Yorker

It was, she said, a complete surprise.

The New York Times

That was not a complete surprise.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "complete surprise" to emphasize the thorough unexpectedness of an event or piece of information. It adds a layer of intensity to the surprise experienced.

Common error

While "complete surprise" is effective, avoid overuse. Vary your language by using synonyms like "utter astonishment" or "total shock" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete surprise" primarily functions as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts, acting as a subject, object, or complement within sentences to express the unexpected nature of an event or piece of information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complete surprise" is a frequently used phrase to express a feeling of total unexpectedness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in news articles, general writing, and scientific publications. While widely accepted, varying your language with synonyms such as "utter astonishment" or "total shock" can enhance your writing. Remember that a ""complete surprise"" emphasizes the emotional impact more than a simple "unexpected event", focusing on the unexpected feeling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utter astonishment

Replaces "surprise" with a stronger term, "astonishment", emphasizing the level of shock.

total shock

Uses "shock" instead of "surprise", highlighting the emotional impact.

absolute astonishment

Similar to "utter astonishment", but with a slightly different emphasis.

unmitigated shock

Emphasizes the severity and completeness of the shock.

unforeseen event

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the event causing surprise.

unexpected occurrence

Highlights that the event was not anticipated.

out-of-the-blue situation

Indicates the sudden and unpredicted nature of the situation.

bolt from the blue

A more figurative expression for something completely unexpected.

startling revelation

Emphasizes the revealing aspect of the surprise.

sudden awakening

Suggests a sudden realization or understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "complete surprise" in a sentence?

You can use "complete surprise" to describe an event or news that was entirely unexpected, such as: "The announcement of his resignation came as a "complete surprise" to everyone."

What are some alternatives to saying "complete surprise"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "utter astonishment", "total shock", or "unexpected occurrence".

Is it more correct to say "complete surprise" or "total surprise"?

Both "complete surprise" and "total surprise" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice between them often comes down to stylistic preference. "Complete surprise" might emphasize thoroughness, while "total surprise" might highlight the overall impact.

What's the difference between a "complete surprise" and an "unexpected event"?

A ""complete surprise"" emphasizes the feeling of being caught off guard, whereas an "unexpected event" simply highlights that something was not anticipated. The former focuses on the emotional response, the latter on the lack of foresight.