is very surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very surprising" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is unexpected or astonishing. Example: "The results of the experiment are very surprising, as they contradict previous findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The timing is very surprising.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is very surprising and very disturbing," de Kroon said.

The Guardian

"The fact it didn't decline more steeply than it did is very surprising".

The New York Times

But what follows this revelation — which shocks only Joo — is very surprising indeed.

The New York Times

"It is very surprising that this is so highly polarized," Dr. Coburn said.

The New York Times

Which is very surprising that they are more up-to-date than we are".

The Guardian

None of this is very surprising, but it is good to see the combination done formally.

The Guardian

And he also implicitly welcomed the reductions in class sizes which have been made.None of this is very surprising.

The Economist

"It is very surprising to be down, 4-0, in the first when Johan's pitching," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"In this context, it is very surprising that incumbent candidates have turned to this approach so forcefully.

The New York Times

It is very surprising that such a deeply damaging policy proposal has been cleared by the Treasury.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is very surprising", ensure the context clearly establishes what is considered unexpected or unusual. Providing specific details enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "is very surprising". Vary your language by using synonyms like "unexpected", "astonishing", or "remarkable" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very surprising" functions as a subject complement, specifically an adjectival phrase that describes the subject of a sentence. It indicates that something is unexpected or causes astonishment. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is very surprising" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey astonishment or unexpectedness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness for use in writing. It appears across a range of contexts, including news, science, and more general discussions, with a neutral register making it widely applicable. While effective, it's advisable to vary language using alternatives like "is quite unexpected" or "is rather astonishing" to maintain reader interest. The prevalence of this phrase in reputable sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Science Magazine further validates its acceptability and widespread use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is incredibly unexpected

Similar to the original phrase but replaces "very surprising" with "incredibly unexpected" to give extra weight to the unexpected nature of the event

is quite unexpected

Replaces "very surprising" with "quite unexpected", maintaining a similar level of surprise but with a different wording.

is rather astonishing

Substitutes "surprising" with "astonishing" to emphasize the degree of amazement, while keeping the core meaning intact.

is simply astounding

Substitutes "surprising" with "astounding" to convey a sense of overwhelming amazement.

is genuinely startling

Replaces "surprising" with "startling" to highlight the sudden and abrupt nature of the surprise.

is truly remarkable

Emphasizes the exceptional nature of the event or situation, focusing on its noteworthy quality instead of just its unexpectedness.

is nothing short of stunning

Highlights the captivating and impressive nature of the event, focusing on its visual or emotional impact.

is completely unforeseen

Highlights the lack of anticipation for the event, shifting the focus from surprise to the absence of foresight.

is exceedingly strange

Replaces "surprising" with "strange" to emphasize the unusual or peculiar nature of the situation.

is frankly shocking

Emphasizes the unsettling or disturbing nature of the surprise, indicating a more negative or impactful reaction.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "is very surprising"?

You can use alternatives like "is quite unexpected", "is rather astonishing", or "is truly remarkable" depending on the context.

How to use "is very surprising" in a sentence?

Use "is very surprising" to express that something is unexpected or astonishing. For example: "The results of the experiment "is very surprising", as they contradict previous findings."

What makes something "very surprising"?

Something ""is very surprising"" when it differs significantly from what was expected or known beforehand. This could be due to new information, unexpected outcomes, or unusual circumstances.

Is it better to say "is surprising" or "is very surprising"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but ""is very surprising"" intensifies the degree of unexpectedness. Choose the phrase that best fits the level of emphasis you want to convey.