it seems startling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems startling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing surprise or shock about a situation or observation that appears unexpected. Example: "After reviewing the data, it seems startling that the results were so different from our initial predictions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It seems startling to me that so few people recognize the name of actor Michael Shannon when they hear it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Their story is so rarely explained without disinformation that it still seems startling when it is stated plainly.

Independent

Police officials say the recent rise in retirements seems startling only because it follows several years in which retirements fell.

The New York Times

Though the idea of a building in movement seems startling, this would not have been the first kinetic work by Mr. Calatrava.

The New York Times

"Nothing that Malala Yousafzai achieves seems startling anymore but she continues to make Pakistan proud," the Express Tribune wrote, with the Daily Pakistan website saying Malala "has made us proud once again".

The Guardian

That Epstein born to Jewish parents in 1937, into a world at war against Hitler could wish for the eradication of a whole group of people seems startling to many of us now.

The New Yorker

As someone who from time to time has made modest efforts to write the kind of journalism that Lewis has mastered, and who has often learned at first hand just how hard it is to find a single person to tell a story half as complex as this one, that fact still seems startling to me.

The Guardian - Film

The implication that an apparently unstructured molecule can still have a very precise function as a freezing inhibitor seems startling at first consideration.

Biophysical Journal

It might seem startling -- or damning -- that people who are drinking a lot of a particular soda actually like the idea of its flavor being discontinued.

The New York Times - Magazine

At first blush, it may seem startling that viruses can undergo substantial evolution in just ten or twenty passages.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

With all the acrimony surrounding Rodriguez and the Yankees' front office, the open mistrust and the damning accusations, it might have seemed startling to see Girardi rushing to Rodriguez's defense after Boston's Ryan Dempster drilled him with a fastball at Fenway Park.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems startling" to introduce an observation that sharply contrasts with expectations, but ensure the context supports a genuine sense of surprise or shock.

Common error

Avoid using "it seems startling" for minor or insignificant observations. Reserve this phrase for situations that genuinely evoke surprise or disbelief, otherwise, the phrase may sound unnatural or exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems startling" functions as an introductory expression, qualifying a statement with a sense of surprise or unexpectedness. It serves to preface an observation that is perceived as noteworthy due to its deviation from the norm. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seems startling" is a phrase used to introduce an observation that evokes surprise or disbelief. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability. While appropriate for neutral to formal contexts like news articles and academic papers, it should be reserved for situations that genuinely warrant surprise to avoid sounding exaggerated. Related phrases include "it appears surprising" and "it sounds astonishing", offering varying degrees of intensity. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears surprising

Changes "seems" to "appears" and "startling" to "surprising", softening the intensity of the surprise.

it sounds astonishing

Substitutes "seems" with "sounds" and "startling" with "astonishing", focusing on the auditory aspect and amplifying the sense of wonder.

it feels unexpected

Replaces "seems" with "feels" and "startling" with "unexpected", emphasizing the subjective experience of surprise.

it comes as a shock

Completely rephrases the sentiment to convey a strong sense of surprise or disbelief.

it is rather alarming

Emphasizes the potential negative implications of the surprising situation.

it's strikingly clear

Shifts the focus to the clarity and obviousness of something, implying surprise at its visibility.

it registers as unforeseen

Uses more formal vocabulary to indicate something was not anticipated.

it presents as curious

Downplays the surprise, suggesting something is merely interesting or unusual.

it proves to be revelatory

Highlights the revealing or enlightening aspect of the surprising discovery.

it unfolds unexpectedly

Focuses on the unexpected development of events rather than the feeling of surprise.

FAQs

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

Use "it seems startling" to express surprise or disbelief about something unexpected. For instance, "It seems startling that so few people recognize the name of actor Michael Shannon when they hear it."

What phrases are similar to "it seems startling"?

Alternatives include "it appears surprising", "it sounds astonishing", or "it feels unexpected". Each conveys a slightly different nuance of surprise.

Is "it seems startling" formal or informal?

"It seems startling" is generally suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts. It can be used in news articles, essays, and professional communications where expressing surprise is appropriate.

What's the difference between "it seems startling" and "it seems surprising"?

"It seems startling" implies a greater degree of surprise or shock compared to "it seems surprising". "Startling" suggests something more unexpected and potentially alarming, while "surprising" is a milder term.