feeling of surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeling of surprise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an emotional response to an unexpected event or situation. Example: "The feeling of surprise washed over her when she saw the unexpected guests at her party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

He also mastered the feeling of surprise.

The New York Times - Arts

Cecil Taylor adores the feeling of surprise.

The Guardian - Music

The official Saudi Press Agency said there was "a feeling of surprise" that about the timing of the execution.

The New York Times

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — When the Giants' linebackers walked into their meeting room one day last week, a universal feeling of surprise quickly spread.

The New York Times - Sports

If all of the worst allegations against Manning are somehow proven to be true, could anyone still muster a feeling of surprise?

The Guardian - Sport

Titled "Behind Your Eye," the exhibition fills you with wonder, that feeling of surprise mingled with admiration caused by something beautiful, unexpected or unfamiliar.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Bowing at 45° or 60° caused the survey respondents to feel honored, whereas bowing at 90° induced feelings of surprise and novelty; however, this angle produced the lowest proportion level of agreements on the items at ease, necessary, and appropriate among the 100 respondents.

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics

I want to challenge the viewers by evoking feelings of surprise, discomfort, hallucination and sometimes dejavu.

HuffPost

(At least once, however, it was a hockey team!) The dreams usually involve feelings of surprise and excitement about going there, combined -- God knows why -- with a nagging awareness that I have delayed doing so and that I'd better hurry and get there before the park closes again.

Huffington Post

I know the principle, but the actual doing it....The fact that you can't communicate, you can't talk... [partner #20010, antenatal interview] Postnatally, in the first few weeks with their new baby, many parents mentioned feelings of surprise, confusion and excitement.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

"These accusations arouse nothing but a feeling of deep surprise," said Dmitry S. Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "feeling of surprise" when you want to describe an internal emotional reaction to something unexpected. Consider the context to determine if a more specific term, like "shock" or "astonishment", would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "feeling of surprise" when describing events that are inherently predictable or expected. Overusing the phrase in such situations can weaken its impact and make your writing sound less genuine.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling of surprise" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used to denote a specific emotional state experienced upon encountering something unexpected.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

23%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeling of surprise" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the emotional response to something unexpected. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. It functions as a noun phrase and is used to express a range of emotions, from positive wonder to negative shock. While suitable for neutral and informal contexts, its frequent presence in News & Media and scientific sources indicates its versatility. Related phrases like "sense of astonishment" and "moment of shock" offer nuances for more precise expression. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants a genuine surprise to avoid weakening its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emotion of shock

Synonymous, but highlights the emotional response more directly.

sense of astonishment

Emphasizes the overwhelming and profound nature of the surprise.

moment of shock

Focuses on the sudden and impactful nature of the surprise.

wave of disbelief

Highlights the initial difficulty in accepting the surprising event.

jolt of amazement

Emphasizes the sudden and startling aspect of the surprise.

pang of wonder

Suggests a mixture of surprise and curiosity, often positive.

air of bewilderment

Implies a state of confusion resulting from the surprise.

state of incredulity

Highlights the disbelief and skepticism caused by the surprise.

rush of excitement

Implies the surprise leads to an excited emotional state.

sense of novelty

The experience is new and unexpected.

FAQs

How can I use "feeling of surprise" in a sentence?

You can use "feeling of surprise" to describe a reaction to an unexpected event. For example: "The "feeling of surprise" washed over her when she saw the unexpected guests."

What's the difference between "feeling of surprise" and "sense of surprise"?

While very similar, "feeling of surprise" emphasizes the internal emotional experience, while "sense of surprise" can also refer to an awareness or perception of something unexpected.

What can I say instead of "feeling of surprise"?

You can use alternatives like "sense of astonishment", "moment of shock", or "wave of disbelief" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "feeling of surprise" always a positive emotion?

No, the ""feeling of surprise"" can be associated with both positive and negative emotions depending on the context of the unexpected event. It can range from pleasant wonder to shock and dismay.