in a surprising turn of events

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a surprising turn of events" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce an unexpected development or outcome in a narrative or discussion. Example: "In a surprising turn of events, the underdog team won the championship against all odds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

In a surprising turn of events, Tim Montgomerie has resigned as comment editor of The Times less than a year after taking up the job.

The Guardian

A few meetings and highly detailed contract negotiations later, the club were poised to announce his signature on Friday, but in a surprising turn of events, the self-styled "fire-head" smothered the flames.

The Guardian - Sport

In a surprising turn of events, the Barberi's captain, Michael J. Gansas, who initially drew scrutiny because witnesses said he was not in the wheelhouse at the time of the crash, was charged only with lying to investigators.

The New York Times

In a surprising turn of events, Barrow was declared the winner of the December 1 election, taking about 46 percent of the vote; Jammeh came in second, with about 37 percent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a surprising turn of events linked to the 2018 Winter Olympics, held in South Korea in February, North Korea invited South Korean President Moon Jae-in to a summit with Kim, planned for late next month in the demilitarized zone that divides the Korean Peninsula.

The Washington Post

In a surprising turn of events, Judge Robert Payne Robert Payne threw out all of Rambus' patent claims last week.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

In the summer of 1941, a surprising turn of events found these imprisoned Poles -- those who survived their confinement -- released from the camps.

Huffington Post

In a bit of a surprising turn of events, Motorola has also dethroned RIM for the #3 and #4 spots, filling them with the W385 and Z6m.

TechCrunch

Massoud Barzani, the president of Iraqi Kurdistan, visited a PKK camp in the aftermath of the Makhmour battle, which is a surprising turn of events given previous rivalries between his government and the group.

Vice

It's a surprising turn of events for work that in the early days of the industry, was considered so unimportant that it was used to sop up ink or spilled coffee, given away to fans or even destroyed outright.

The New York Times - Arts

For an aesthetic once praised for its "ruthless logic" and "bloody-mindedness" — in the much-quoted phrasing of critic Reyner Banham — it is a surprising turn of events.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to introduce plot twists, unexpected outcomes, or situations that deviate from the norm in your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase too frequently in your writing. Over-reliance on it can diminish its impact and make your writing seem predictable. Instead, vary your language and use synonyms or alternative phrasing when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a surprising turn of events" functions as an introductory phrase. It signals an unexpected or unanticipated development in a narrative or situation. Ludwig shows its use in introducing surprising news or plot twists.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a surprising turn of events" serves as an introductory marker, signaling an unanticipated shift in a narrative or situation. As evidenced by Ludwig's analysis, it's grammatically sound and frequently employed in news and media contexts to introduce unexpected developments. While its usage is widespread, remember to avoid overuse to maintain impact. Consider alternatives like "unexpectedly" or out of the blue to vary your writing style. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English and helps engage the reader by highlighting an element of surprise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in an unexpected development

A more formal and neutral phrasing.

to everyone's surprise

Highlights the widespread astonishment caused by the event.

unexpectedly

A single word that directly replaces the entire phrase for brevity.

in a reversal of expectations

Focuses on how the outcome contradicts what was predicted.

out of the blue

Implies the event was sudden and completely without warning.

contrary to expectations

Similar to "in a reversal of expectations" but slightly more formal.

unforeseen circumstances

Highlights that the events were not predicted or anticipated.

as fate would have it

Suggests a predetermined or inevitable nature to the unexpected turn.

a twist of fate

Suggests an element of destiny or chance in the unexpected outcome.

against all odds

Emphasizes that the event was highly improbable.

FAQs

How can I use "in a surprising turn of events" in a sentence?

This phrase is typically used to introduce an unexpected change or outcome. For example, "In a surprising turn of events, the underdog team won the championship."

What's a more concise way to say "in a surprising turn of events"?

You could use the adverb "unexpectedly" to convey the same meaning in a shorter form.

Is there a difference between "in a surprising turn of events" and "out of the blue"?

"In a surprising turn of events" is a more formal phrase. "Out of the blue" suggests something happened suddenly and without warning.

What are some synonyms for "in a surprising turn of events" that emphasize chance?

You could use phrases like "a twist of fate" or "as fate would have it" to highlight the element of chance or destiny.