it has been surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has been surprising" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something has caused surprise or astonishment over a period of time. Example: "It has been surprising to see how quickly the project has progressed despite the challenges we faced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"It was a bit trial and error but it has been surprising how fast we have grown".

The Guardian

So it has been surprising to find that many extrasolar planets follow very elliptical orbits, or orbits that tilt at an angle from the host star's equator.

Nature

"It has been surprising how little contagion there has been," said Joyce Chang, global head of international fixed income research at J. P. Morgan.

The New York Times

"We've been following this comet for a year now and all the way it has been surprising us and confusing us," said astrophysicist Karl Battams, who operates the US space agency-funded Sungrazing Comets Project.

BBC

For this reason, it has been surprising to find that, except for one report (59), no attempt has been made to use phylogenetically derived secondary-structure maps for the interpretation of the available mutational data.

Human Molecular Genetics

The value and the seriousness with which Cornellians hold it has been surprising, and gratifying, to me.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

That Linux penetrated corporate America the way it has is surprising when one considers the competition: Microsoft's Windows and Sun's Solaris.

Forbes

One wishes it had been surprising to hear Bratton using a phrase like "texting away" about officers in a patrol car — it was just a few weeks ago that Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were murdered while sitting in one.

The New Yorker

Tonight's performance was so dominating, it should have been surprising.

The New York Times - Sports

It would have been surprising.

TechCrunch

One was always glad to see him again, and a little bit surprised, although he worked often enough that it shouldn't have been surprising.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has been surprising" to introduce an observation that contrasts with prior expectations or commonly held beliefs. This can add intrigue and encourage further exploration of the topic.

Common error

Avoid using "it has been surprising" as a standalone statement. Always provide the specific reason why something is surprising to maintain clarity and avoid vague assertions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been surprising" functions as an introductory clause expressing a reaction of unexpectedness or astonishment towards a situation or event. As Ludwig AI suggests, it sets the stage for a revelation or observation that deviates from prior expectations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has been surprising" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that introduces an element of unexpectedness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide specific context to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "it has been astonishing" or "it has been unexpected" to fine-tune your expression. By being mindful of these aspects, you can effectively use "it has been surprising" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been astonishing

Replaces "surprising" with a stronger synonym, emphasizing the degree of amazement.

it has been unexpected

Focuses on the lack of anticipation rather than the emotional response.

it has proven to be surprising

Adds an element of evidence or demonstration to the unexpected nature.

it has turned out to be surprising

Highlights the outcome or result as being unexpected.

it has been remarkably surprising

Intensifies the surprise with the adverb "remarkably".

it has been quite surprising

Uses "quite" to moderate or emphasize the surprising nature, depending on intonation.

it has been strangely surprising

Adds a layer of peculiarity or oddness to the surprise.

it has been shockingly surprising

Emphasizes the intensity of the surprise, suggesting it was quite unexpected or even disturbing.

it has been unusually surprising

Highlights the departure from the norm in terms of surprise.

it has been incredibly surprising

Uses "incredibly" to amplify the degree of surprise.

FAQs

What does "it has been surprising" mean?

The phrase "it has been surprising" indicates that something has caused a degree of astonishment or unexpectedness. It's used to express that an outcome or development was not anticipated.

How can I use "it has been surprising" in a sentence?

You can use "it has been surprising" to introduce an observation, like: "It has been surprising how fast the company has grown this year."

What are some alternatives to "it has been surprising"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it has been unexpected", "it has been astonishing", or "it has proven to be surprising", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it has been surprising to me" different from "it has been surprising"?

Adding "to me" personalizes the statement, making it clear that the surprise is from your perspective. Without "to me", the statement implies a more general or widely shared sense of surprise.