it might be surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it might be surprising" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when introducing information that may be unexpected or contrary to common belief. Example: "It might be surprising to learn that honey never spoils and can last for thousands of years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It might be surprising to Americans who watched the gulf spill unfold on TV, but Mr. Hayward's new investors tend to shrug off the disaster and his inglorious end at BP.

The New York Times

But it might be surprising how little wealth an individual has to have to get out of that bottom tier and in with the top 33% of the world's population: US$10,000 is sufficient.

The Guardian

It might be surprising just how few steps down the fundraising alphabet one needs to take to account for as much as 90percentt of the acquisitions.

TechCrunch

With that in mind, it might be surprising a large group of travel agents invited a Google executive to speak at its international conference in Cape Town earlier this year.

Forbes

Some of this will be obvious and some of it might be surprising.

HuffPost

It might be surprising, then, that it's such a relief to read them.

The New York Times - Books

It might be surprising to some people, but it shouldn't be.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, it might be surprising to know that dating apps use similar algorithms to match people together.

Cornell University

It might be surprising that a country whose cuisine has World Heritage status needs such a law.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It might be surprising to hear, but Iranian leaders have long been thirsting for such a shift.

The Guardian - Opinion

2. MiamiMiami is used to drawing the nation's top athletes, which is why it might be surprising to see the Hurricanes on the losers' list.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it might be surprising" to introduce a statement that contrasts with common knowledge or prior assumptions, enhancing the reader's engagement.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "it might be surprising" as this can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "contrary to expectations" or "unexpectedly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it might be surprising" functions as an introductory element in a sentence. It serves to preface information that may be unexpected, counterintuitive, or contrary to common knowledge. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it might be surprising" is a versatile phrase used to introduce unexpected information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its frequency is very common, particularly in news and media, science, and academic contexts. While generally neutral in tone, consider more formal alternatives for highly professional settings. Remember to avoid overuse and vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it may come as a surprise

Replaces "might be" with "may come as", adding emphasis to the unexpected nature.

it could be surprising

Substitutes "might" with "could", suggesting a possibility rather than a probability.

you might find it surprising

Shifts the focus to the listener's perspective and potential reaction.

it may be unexpected

Replaces "surprising" with "unexpected", focusing on the lack of anticipation.

it is perhaps surprising

Adds "perhaps" to soften the statement and acknowledge potential disagreement.

it may seem odd

Replaces "surprising" with "odd", indicating something unusual or peculiar.

it is maybe surprising

Replaces "perhaps" with "maybe" to soften the statement and acknowledge potential disagreement.

it may catch you off guard

Emphasizes the unexpectedness and potential shock of the information.

it's interesting to note

Offers a less emphatic way to introduce something potentially unexpected, focusing on its interest.

it bears mentioning

Highlights the relevance or importance of the potentially surprising information.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it might be surprising"?

You can use alternatives like "it may come as a surprise", "it could be surprising", or "you might find it surprising" depending on the context.

How do I use "it might be surprising" in a sentence?

Typically, "it might be surprising" introduces a clause that presents unexpected information. For example: "It might be surprising, but honey never spoils."

Is "it might be surprising" formal or informal?

"It might be surprising" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, you might prefer alternatives like "it may come as a surprise".

What is the difference between "it might be surprising" and "it may be surprising"?

The difference between "it might be surprising" and "it may be surprising" is negligible. Both express a degree of possibility that something is unexpected. "Might" suggests a slightly lower probability than "may", but they are often used interchangeably.