found it surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "found it surprising" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing your reaction to something unexpected or astonishing. Example: "I found it surprising that the event was canceled without any prior notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

My wife admitted that she found it surprising.

Huffington Post

Sage said she wanted to see how people responded to women and different forms of sex work, and she found it surprising.

Vice

We found it surprising that this particular pair failed, since its target overlaps a sequence that was effectively cut by ZFNs (Bibikova et al. 2002).

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Its head of international, Matt Crystal, said: "Some people might have found it surprising that we did a partnership with Manchester United, but for us it makes perfect sense: whether you're interested in women's fashion or football, we have a home for that content".

The Guardian - Tech

At the time, I found it surprising that these virus-writers were apparently amateurs, civilians.

The New York Times

The newspaper then found it surprising that after the election, Mr. McGreevey chose him for a leadership post.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Being harassed on the internet is such a normal, common part of my life that I'm always surprised when other people find it surprising.

The Guardian

Let me think about this one… All I'd say is, I find it surprising.

The Guardian

Re "With Treats, Dogs Seem to Know What's Fair" (Dec. 9): What is the most surprising about this finding is that anyone actually finds it surprising.

The New York Times

We, who were not born into that world, still find it surprising.

Huffington Post

Your work is so in tune with nature, I find it surprising you've chosen to live in New York.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "found it surprising", follow it with a 'that' clause to clearly specify what you found surprising. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "found it surprising" without providing clear context about what was surprising. Always clarify the object or situation that elicited the surprise to ensure the sentence is meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found it surprising" functions as a subjective expression indicating the speaker's astonishment or lack of expectation regarding a particular event or situation. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is commonly used to introduce a personal reaction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "found it surprising" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for conveying a sense of mild astonishment or unexpectedness. Analysis of Ludwig's examples indicates it is particularly prevalent in News & Media and Science contexts. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, while the expert linguistic analysis highlights its function in expressing personal reactions and communicative purposes across various registers. By understanding its usage, writers can effectively communicate surprise while avoiding common pitfalls, as highlighted in the writing guidance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was a surprise to find

Reverses the sentence structure to emphasize the unexpectedness.

found it unexpected

Focuses on the lack of anticipation for the event or information.

found it astonishing

Expresses a higher degree of surprise or disbelief.

was astonished by it

Highlights a very high degree of surprise, to the level of being almost unbelievable.

found it remarkable

Emphasizes the exceptional or noteworthy nature of what was found.

was amazed to discover

Highlights the feeling of wonder due to the discovery.

found it strange

Highlights the odd or peculiar nature of what was found.

didn't anticipate that

Emphasizes the lack of foresight regarding the matter.

was taken aback by it

Indicates a sudden shock or surprise.

it came as a shock

Highlights the level of disturbance that finding something caused.

FAQs

How can I use "found it surprising" in a sentence?

You can use "found it surprising" to express your reaction to something unexpected. For example, "I "found it surprising" that the event was canceled without any prior notice".

What are some alternatives to "found it surprising"?

You can use alternatives like "found it astonishing", "found it remarkable", or "was taken aback by it" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "find it surprising" instead of "found it surprising"?

Both "find it surprising" and "found it surprising" are grammatically correct, but they differ in tense. Use "find" for present tense and "found" for past tense. For example, "I "find it surprising" that he still believes that" (present) vs. "I "found it surprising" that he said that" (past).

What is the difference between "found it surprising" and "found it strange"?

"Found it surprising" indicates a general feeling of unexpectedness, while "found it strange" suggests that something is unusual or peculiar. The former focuses on the unexpected nature, whereas the latter emphasizes the oddity.