despite the surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite the surprise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something happened or was true regardless of an unexpected event or reaction. Example: "Despite the surprise of the sudden announcement, the team managed to stay focused and complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Wiki

Science

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Despite the surprise, he stopped all 22 Winnipeg shots.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite the surprise slip-up Cardiff remain top after Crystal Palace's 2-2 drat at Birmingham.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite the surprise, Wall Street reacted positively, not least because Capital Cities brought in Warren E. Buffett to help finance the purchase.

The New York Times

- Mehabad Salih, 35, Kurdish exile, London "Despite the surprise of the sudden collapse, no one realistically thought that the Iraqi forces would resist for long.

The Guardian

In January, Morrisons announced plans to close seven stores with the potential loss of almost 700 jobs despite the surprise increase in sales over Christmas.

The Guardian - Business

I don't like the way it has become more corporate, financially driven and (despite the surprise triumph of Leicester this season) loaded almost totally in favour of an unpleasant elite.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Magnolias seemed particularly beautiful this spring, despite enduring the surprise of two April snowstorms, before winter grudgingly surrendered.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite all the surprise and anguish set off by corporate scandals, for many Wall Street historians and fraud aficionados, the year almost fits into a pattern, as the re-emergence of a moment that has become something of a tradition in the financial world.

The New York Times

Despite all the surprises, there were perhaps two predictable developments in the tale of the missing window.

The New York Times

Now here's the surprise: Despite its retail focus and its pampering of customers, BofA does not have high operating costs.

Forbes

"Despite the general surprise and consternation, those present found themselves obliged to follow through".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "despite the surprise" to clearly indicate that an action, event, or state remains true or occurs regardless of an unexpected circumstance. This highlights resilience or persistence in the face of the unforeseen.

Common error

Avoid assuming that the "surprise" is necessarily unwelcome. The phrase simply acknowledges the unexpected nature of something, and the subsequent action or event may still be positive or neutral.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite the surprise" functions as a prepositional phrase, introducing a contrast or concession. It indicates that the following statement is true even though an unexpected event has occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

10%

Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Arts

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "despite the surprise" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that introduces a contrasting element, acknowledging an unexpected event without altering the primary outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile, appearing in news, sports, and business contexts, showcasing a neutral register. Alternatives include "in spite of the surprise" and "regardless of the surprise", but understanding the specific nuance is crucial for accurate substitution. It is important to understand it acknowledges an unexpected event without suggesting whether it's positive or negative. Its frequent usage across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability in professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surprise notwithstanding

A more concise and somewhat formal way of expressing the same idea.

unexpectedness aside

A shorter and more direct way of saying "despite the surprise".

regardless of the unexpected event

Substitutes "surprise" with a more explicit phrase, adding clarity.

in spite of the unexpectedness

Replaces "surprise" with a more descriptive noun, altering the tone slightly.

even with the unexpected turn of events

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the occurrence.

in the face of the unexpected

Highlights the challenging aspect of dealing with the surprise.

notwithstanding the astonishment

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey a similar meaning.

not deterred by the shock

Emphasizes the lack of discouragement caused by the surprise.

although taken aback

Uses a different verb phrase to express the feeling of surprise.

even if caught off guard

Focuses on the state of being unprepared for the surprise.

FAQs

How can I use "despite the surprise" in a sentence?

You can use "despite the surprise" to show that something happened or remained true even though something unexpected occurred. For instance, "Despite the surprise, he managed to keep his composure."

What are some alternatives to "despite the surprise"?

Some alternatives include "in spite of the surprise", "regardless of the surprise", or "even with the surprise", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "despite of the surprise"?

No, the correct phrasing is "despite the surprise". The word "despite" already implies a sense of opposition, so adding "of" is redundant and grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "despite the surprise" and "because of the surprise"?

"Despite the surprise" indicates that something happened in spite of an unexpected event. "Because of the surprise" means that something happened as a result of the unexpected event. They have opposite meanings.