in a unexpected way

USAGE SUMMARY

'in a unexpected way' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happened or is happening in an unforeseen manner. For example: "The new law was implemented in an unexpected way, causing much confusion among citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Lela Rose, the designer of Mrs. Biden's outfit, who also dressed Jenna and Barbara Bush during a previous inauguration, said Mrs. Biden came to her in a unexpected way.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And it begins in an unexpected way.

The New York Times - Arts

Customers react in an unexpected way.

Harvard Business Review

It's persuasive, in an unexpected way.

The New York Times - Food

HSP60, he found, folds proteins in an unexpected way.

The New York Times - Science

The trip was productive in an unexpected way.

The New York Times

Coming to Turkey transformed him, in an unexpected way.

The New Yorker

And Americans at home behaved in an unexpected way.

The New Yorker

To begin and end in an unexpected way?

Harvard Business Review

This project came about in an unexpected way.

The Guardian

Literary taste entered the household in an unexpected way, however.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in a unexpected way", ensure the context clearly establishes the prior expectation against which the event is considered unexpected. This provides a stronger contrast and emphasizes the surprise.

Common error

Avoid using "in a unexpected way" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "surprisingly" or "unforeseenly" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a unexpected way" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing the manner in which an action or event occurs. As Ludwig AI shows, it indicates that something happened in a manner that was not anticipated or predicted.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in a unexpected way" is grammatically correct but less common than alternatives like "unexpectedly" or "surprisingly". Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability. While its meaning is clear—to emphasize surprise—it's crucial to ensure contextual clarity and avoid overuse. Given its neutral register, it is acceptable across diverse communication forms, although more concise phrasing is often preferred for a polished style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpectedly

This is the most direct synonym, simply stating that something happened contrary to expectations.

in an unforeseen manner

This alternative highlights the lack of anticipation or planning related to the way something happened.

in an unpredicted manner

This emphasizes the lack of prior prediction or forecasting of the event.

surprisingly

This adverb emphasizes the element of surprise associated with an event or action.

in an unanticipated fashion

This option is more formal, stressing that something occurred in a manner that wasn't predicted.

unpredictably

This is a single-word adverb that directly describes something happening in a way that could not be foreseen.

in a surprising twist

This phrase indicates an unexpected change or development in a situation.

by surprise

This adverbial phrase focuses on the element of catching someone off guard.

out of the blue

This idiom suggests something happened suddenly and without warning.

against all odds

This expression suggests that something happened despite seeming highly improbable.

FAQs

What's a more common way to say "in a unexpected way"?

More common alternatives include "unexpectedly", "surprisingly", or "in an unforeseen manner". These options are generally preferred for their conciseness and clarity.

Is "in a unexpected way" grammatically correct?

Yes, "in a unexpected way" is grammatically correct, but the more standard phrasing is "in an unexpected way". The latter is more commonly used and considered better style.

How can I use "in a unexpected way" in a sentence?

You can use "in a unexpected way" to describe how something happened contrary to expectations, such as: "The project succeeded in a unexpected way, due to a sudden surge in public interest."

What's the difference between "in a unexpected way" and "unexpectedly"?

"In a unexpected way" is a phrase, while "unexpectedly" is an adverb. The adverb is typically more concise and preferred. For example, instead of "The results came in a unexpected way", you could say "The results came unexpectedly".