it's surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

"it's surprising" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express your astonishment or disbelief at something. For example, "It's surprising that we haven't seen a single bear on our hike.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's surprising.

The New York Times

I don't think it's surprising.

The New Yorker

"It's surprising the first time you play.

The New York Times

ANDY MURRAY: "Well, I mean, in some ways, it's surprising.

The New York Times

It's surprising no one has yet tried it.

The Guardian - Film

It's surprising the player.

Huffington Post

"It's surprising," Ai told reporters at the show's opening.

The Guardian - Arts

It's surprising for me".

The Guardian

"Yeah, it's surprising," Brett Gardner said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's surprising how ugly it's getting".

The New York Times

"It's surprising given the streak they had".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's surprising" to introduce a statement that contrasts with common knowledge or previous expectations. This can effectively set up a contrasting point or highlight an unusual occurrence.

Common error

While "it's surprising" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "unexpectedly" or "remarkably" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's surprising" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating that something is unexpected or causes a degree of wonder. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is common and acceptable. It introduces a statement that often contrasts with prior assumptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's surprising" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express astonishment or unexpectedness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is frequently found in news and media contexts, making it a common expression in everyday language. While perfectly acceptable, remember to consider the tone and formality required for different writing situations. For more formal settings, consider using synonyms like "that's unexpected" or "it's astonishing" to maintain a professional tone. With a high expert rating of 4.5, "it's surprising" proves its reliability and effectiveness in conveying a sense of wonder or disbelief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's unexpected

Replaces "it's surprising" with a more direct statement of unexpectedness, focusing on the event rather than the speaker's reaction.

it's astonishing

Substitutes "surprising" with "astonishing", conveying a stronger sense of wonder or disbelief.

that's quite a shock

Emphasizes the element of surprise as a shock, implying a potentially disruptive or unsettling event.

it's remarkable

Highlights the noteworthy or exceptional nature of the surprising event.

who would have thought

Expresses surprise in a rhetorical question format, suggesting a shared sense of disbelief.

it defies expectations

Focuses on how the event contradicts what was anticipated or predicted.

it's quite something

Uses an understatement to convey surprise and interest in the unexpected event.

that takes me by surprise

Highlights the personal impact of the surprising event on the speaker.

i didn't see that coming

A colloquial expression indicating a complete lack of anticipation for the event.

it's a turn-up for the books

An idiomatic expression (primarily British) denoting an unexpected and often positive event.

FAQs

How can I use "it's surprising" in a sentence?

You can use "it's surprising" to express your astonishment or disbelief regarding a particular fact or event. For example, "It's surprising how many people haven't heard of this author."

What can I say instead of "it's surprising"?

You can use alternatives like "that's unexpected", "it's astonishing", or "that's remarkable" depending on the context.

Is "it is surprising" more formal than "it's surprising"?

Yes, "it is surprising" is slightly more formal than "it's surprising" because it uses the full form of the verb "is" instead of the contraction "'s". However, both are widely acceptable in general usage.

Can "it's surprising" be used to express negative surprise?

Yes, "it's surprising" can express negative surprise. The tone and context of the sentence will usually indicate whether the surprise is positive, negative, or neutral. For example, "It's surprising how little attention this issue has received."