how surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

"how surprising" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is surprising or unexpected. For example, "How surprising that she got the job with no experience!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But how surprising?

The New York Times

How surprising was Stewart's blast?

The New York Times - Sports

How surprising is that?

The New York Times - Sports

How surprising is it?

The New York Times

"How surprising," Glauber had said.

The New Yorker

How surprising are recent troubles in light of Italy's political past?

The New York Times

How surprising is it that λ is so long in these neurons?

Nature

How surprising it was to see Lagerfeld, entering in front of blinding flash bulbs, in a jacket that was … white.

The New York Times

So how surprising to learn he is the trustee of a charity dedicated to promoting, er, human rights!

Independent

"But I don't know how surprising that is given what we've seen in semiconductors and tech recently".

The New York Times - Tech

To understand just how surprising Pope Benedict XVI's decision to surrender his post is, you can look to numbers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how surprising" to express genuine astonishment or disbelief at an unexpected event or revelation. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the surprise.

Common error

Avoid using "how surprising" for minor inconveniences or predictable outcomes; reserve it for situations that genuinely defy expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how surprising" functions as an exclamatory expression indicating astonishment or disbelief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for expressing surprise in various contexts. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its usage in expressing surprise across diverse scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how surprising" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express astonishment or disbelief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it fits comfortably in various contexts, from formal news reports to casual conversations. The phrase is particularly common in "news & media", "academic", and "scientific" sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly conveys the unexpected nature of the situation. While versatile, reserve it for moments of genuine surprise rather than mild disappointment. Consider alternatives such as "how astonishing" or "how amazing" to add nuance to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how astonishing

Emphasizes a high degree of surprise, implying something nearly unbelievable.

how startling

Highlights the abrupt and potentially shocking nature of the surprise.

how amazing

Conveys a sense of wonder and delight alongside the surprise.

how unexpected

Focuses on the lack of anticipation or predictability.

how noteworthy

Indicates that the surprising element is also important or significant.

how curious

Suggests that the surprise also involves something puzzling or intriguing.

how strange

Highlights the unfamiliar or odd nature of the surprising event.

how paradoxical

Indicates that the surprise stems from a contradiction or seemingly impossible situation.

how ironic

Emphasizes a contrast between what might be expected and what actually occurs.

how unusual

Focuses on the rarity or infrequency of the event or situation.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "how surprising" in a sentence?

Use "how surprising" to express astonishment at something unexpected. For instance, "How surprising that he won the lottery after only buying one ticket!"

What are some alternatives to "how surprising"?

You can use alternatives like "how astonishing", "how unexpected", or "how amazing" depending on the context.

In what contexts is "how surprising" most appropriate?

"How surprising" is appropriate in contexts where you want to express genuine surprise, whether in news articles, academic discussions, or casual conversations.

Is "how surprising" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "how surprising" is suitable for formal writing as long as it aligns with the tone and context. More formal alternatives might include "it is astonishing that" or "it is remarkable that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.