in a surprising way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a surprising way" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action or event that occurs unexpectedly or in an unexpected manner. Example: "The magician performed his tricks in a surprising way, leaving the audience in awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Clapper defended himself in a surprising way.

The Guardian

"Duo Concertant" develops in a surprising way.

The New York Times - Arts

"It definitely looks like Jewish music, sounds like Jewish music, in a surprising way," he said.

The New York Times

The ones that present the facts in a surprising way or a straightforward way?

Harvard Business Review

The new research suggests that the crested version of EphB2 arose in a surprising way.

The New York Times - Science

They are less likely to veer off in their own direction in a surprising way, independently of the national trends.

The New York Times

Some veteran faculty members tell me that the students' drive to succeed manifests itself in a surprising way.

The New York Times

Some of them branch in a surprising way, 15 or 16 times instead of the usual four or five.

The Guardian

Kingsolver is working on a new novel, which she describes as "a fictional secret history revealed in a surprising way".

The Guardian

Worster frames his narrative in a surprising way, as an exemplary tale about the rise of liberal democracy.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Unravelling a mystery in a satisfying, surprising way… that's hard.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a surprising way" to add emphasis to unexpected outcomes or methods, making your writing more engaging and highlighting the element of surprise.

Common error

Avoid using "in a surprising way" too frequently, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "unexpectedly" or "astonishingly" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a surprising way" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause to describe how an action is performed or an event unfolds. It indicates that something occurred unexpectedly or in an unexpected manner. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a surprising way" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize the unexpected nature of an event or action. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. It is most common in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended tone and consider synonyms like "unexpectedly" or "astonishingly" to prevent overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in an unexpected manner

Similar meaning, slightly more formal.

unexpectedly

Focuses on the lack of anticipation rather than the manner.

in an unforeseen manner

Emphasizes lack of anticipation of an event.

in a startling fashion

Highlights the surprise and potential shock.

to everyone's surprise

Highlights the general astonishment caused.

remarkably

Highlights how noteworthy something is.

astonishingly

Suggests a high degree of amazement.

out of the blue

Emphasizes suddenness and unexpectedness.

in an extraordinary way

Emphasizes the uniqueness of the situation.

in an unconventional manner

Highlights the non-traditional aspect of how something is done.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "in a surprising way" to avoid repetition?

To avoid repetition, you can use alternatives such as "unexpectedly", "astonishingly", or "remarkably" depending on the specific context.

Is "in a surprising way" formal enough for academic writing?

While "in a surprising way" is acceptable, more formal alternatives like "in an unexpected manner" or "unforeseenly" might be preferred in academic contexts for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "in a surprising way" and "surprisingly"?

"In a surprising way" is a longer phrase that emphasizes the manner in which something happens, while "surprisingly" is a single-word adverb that simply indicates something is unexpected. Both are generally interchangeable, but the longer phrase can add emphasis.

How to use "in a surprising way" in a sentence?

You can use "in a surprising way" to describe how an action was performed or how an event unfolded. For example, "The company's profits increased "in a surprising way", defying all expectations".