it is startling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is startling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express surprise or shock about a particular situation or fact. Example: "The sudden change in weather patterns is startling and has left many scientists concerned about climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is startling in its fearlessness, even today.

The New York Times - Arts

Even if we focus on just the small accomplishment of passing a county operations energy plan this month, it is startling in its lack of vision.

The Washington Post

Some of it is startling.

The Guardian - Music

But it is startling to see these poll numbers.

The Washington Post

It is startling, an absurd and marvellous displacement.

The Guardian - Arts

Time noted, "So mesmeric are the proceedings that it is startling when the curtain finally drops".

The New Yorker

Not available for public view, it is startling to look at.

Independent

And it is startling to find such an overt intimation of the divine at the movies.

The New York Times

Niven virtually ignores Goldstone's work, although much of it is startling and revelatory.

The New Yorker

To see him with it is startling at first; they're hardly used any more.

The Economist

It is startling, however, to find them in an erudite book by one of America's leading political scientists.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is startling" to express a sense of surprise, shock, or disbelief when encountering an unexpected fact or situation. It is often effective when the context suggests a deviation from the norm or prior expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "it is startling" in situations where a milder expression of surprise would suffice. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Consider alternatives like "it is surprising" or "it is interesting" for less emphatic situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is startling" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing surprise or shock. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its usage in introducing unexpected or noteworthy information. This often serves to highlight a contrast or deviation from the expected.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

15%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is startling" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express surprise or shock, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's prevalent in news and media, as well as academic contexts. While its formality is generally neutral, the phrase carries a stronger emphasis than alternatives like "it is surprising". When writing, use "it is startling" to highlight unexpected facts but avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is surprising

Focuses more on the unexpected nature of something rather than the shock it might induce.

it is astonishing

Suggests a greater degree of amazement and disbelief.

it is shocking

Implies a negative or disturbing surprise.

it is remarkable

Highlights the unusual or noteworthy aspect of something.

it is unexpected

Emphasizes that something did not align with prior anticipation.

it is stunning

Conveys a sense of beauty or impressiveness that is surprising.

it is incredible

Suggests something is hard to believe, often due to its scale or impressiveness.

it is noteworthy

Highlights that something is deserving of attention or mention.

it is eye-opening

Indicates the experience provides new insight or understanding.

it is revealing

Highlights that something exposes previously unknown information or understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "it is startling" in a sentence?

You can use "it is startling" to introduce a surprising or shocking fact. For example, "It is startling how quickly the Knicks' fortunes turned this season" or "It is startling to see these poll numbers".

What are some alternatives to "it is startling"?

Alternatives include "it is surprising", "it is astonishing", "it is shocking", or "it is remarkable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "it is startling" in writing?

Use "it is startling" when you want to emphasize the unexpected and somewhat shocking nature of a piece of information. It's most effective when the information contrasts sharply with what is normally expected.

Is "it is startling" too strong for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "it is startling" is generally more formal than phrases like "it's surprising" or "that's shocking". Consider the context and your audience when choosing the most appropriate expression. For casual conversation, a less formal alternative might be preferable.