completely unexpected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely unexpected" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that happens or exists in a way that is surprising or unforeseen. Example: The sudden storm was completely unexpected, catching everyone off guard.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's been completely unexpected.

The New York Times

It's completely unexpected".

The New York Times

It was completely unexpected.

The Guardian - Sport

This was completely unexpected.

The New York Times - Arts

"These findings were completely unexpected".

The New York Times - Science

Other findings were completely unexpected.

Columbia University

Instead, something completely unexpected happened.

The Washington Post

The violence was completely unexpected.

The Guardian

My completely unexpected surgery was in March.

The New York Times

It was beautiful and completely unexpected.

Independent

It is completely unexpected, and entirely believable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely unexpected" to add emphasis to the surprising nature of an event or outcome. For instance, "The positive response to the new product was completely unexpected, exceeding all our projections."

Common error

Avoid using "completely unexpected" too frequently in your writing, as it can lose its impact. Vary your language by using alternatives like "totally unforeseen" or "entirely unanticipated" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely unexpected" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that was not anticipated at all. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct. It intensifies the sense of surprise associated with the unexpected event or outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "completely unexpected" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase to describe something that was not anticipated or foreseen. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. Its communicative purpose lies in expressing surprise and highlighting the contrast between expectation and reality. The phrase is versatile, fitting into neutral registers across various contexts, with a notable prevalence in News & Media sources, as shown by Ludwig. While effective, overuse can diminish its impact, encouraging the exploration of alternatives like "totally unforeseen" or "entirely unanticipated".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

totally unforeseen

Emphasizes the inability to predict the event.

absolutely unforeseen

Highlights the certainty that the event was not foreseen.

entirely unanticipated

Highlights the lack of prior anticipation.

utterly unpredicted

Stresses the absence of any prediction whatsoever.

wholly unanticipated

Focuses on the complete absence of anticipation.

thoroughly unpredicted

Emphasizes the detail that the event was not predicted.

plainly unanticipated

Focuses on the obvious lack of anticipation.

quite surprising

Indicates a moderate degree of surprise.

genuinely startling

Indicates the event was genuinely surprising and potentially alarming.

altogether astonishing

Emphasizes the high degree of astonishment caused.

FAQs

How can I use "completely unexpected" in a sentence?

You can use "completely unexpected" to describe an event, result, or situation that was not anticipated. For example, "The success of the indie film was a "completely unexpected" surprise."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "completely unexpected"?

Alternatives include "totally unforeseen", "entirely unanticipated", or "utterly unpredicted", all depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "completely unexpected" grammatically correct?

Yes, "completely unexpected" is grammatically correct. "Completely" is an adverb modifying the adjective "unexpected", making it a standard and acceptable construction.

What is the difference between "unexpected" and "completely unexpected"?

"Unexpected" implies something was not anticipated, while "completely unexpected" emphasizes the degree of surprise, indicating it was entirely unforeseen and surprising. The use of "completely" intensifies the sense of surprise.