it seems surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

"it seems surprising" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "It seems surprising that he would make such a decision without consulting with his advisors first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But coming from Mr Skilling it seems surprising.

The Economist

He added: "I agree that it seems surprising.

Independent

"It's a bit complicated in Peru because it seems surprising a country that has such high growth levels should still need assistance," he said.

The Guardian

Mr. Grassley added that "it seems surprising that Mr. Eisman was on such familiar terms" with the agency official.

The New York Times

It seems surprising that it was not ripped out of her head at the roots.

Independent

So it seems surprising that Lupi and Posavec have thumbed their noses at such digital sophistication.

The Guardian - Arts

In fact, it seems surprising that such a ban isn't already in place.

The Guardian - Opinion

It seems surprising, I say, that she should have been drawn to a genre known for its machismo.

Independent

It took until 1891 for Congress to act – and today it seems surprising that international copyright was ever in doubt.

The Guardian - Opinion

We can't forget though, that although it seems surprising, these levels of emigration are by no means a new phenomenon.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the surface, it seems surprising that A.M.I. would pay a substantial sum of money for an unverified story.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it seems surprising", ensure the context clearly establishes what is unexpected or contradictory. Provide enough information for the reader to understand why the situation is surprising.

Common error

Avoid using "it seems surprising" as a mere placeholder for expressing mild surprise. Instead, provide specific reasons why something is unexpected to enhance the sentence's impact and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems surprising" primarily functions as an introductory expression to convey unexpectedness or mild disbelief. It sets the stage for a statement that contrasts with what might be reasonably anticipated. As per Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seems surprising" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to introduce unexpected information across various domains. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and can be effectively employed in both formal and informal writing. It's crucial to provide context and specific reasons for the surprise to enhance clarity and impact. While versatile, consider stronger alternatives for scientific or highly formal writing. Ludwig's examples show that it is typically found in news and media, followed by scientific and formal business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's quite unexpected

Replaces "seems surprising" with a direct statement of unexpectedness, altering the tone to be more assertive.

it is rather astonishing

Substitutes "surprising" with "astonishing", indicating a higher degree of amazement or disbelief.

it's somewhat remarkable

Uses "remarkable" instead of "surprising", suggesting the unexpectedness is noteworthy or significant.

it's a bit of a shock

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the situation by expressing it as a "shock", indicating a stronger emotional response.

it defies expectation

Replaces the subjective "seems surprising" with an objective statement that the situation goes against what was expected.

it raises eyebrows

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey that the situation is causing surprise or skepticism among observers.

it's against the odds

Implies that the event was unlikely to happen, focusing on the statistical improbability rather than personal surprise.

it's counterintuitive

Indicates that the situation goes against common sense or logical reasoning, shifting the focus to the lack of inherent logic.

it's rather peculiar

Replaces "surprising" with "peculiar", highlighting the unusual or strange nature of the situation.

it bucks the trend

Suggests that the event goes against the established pattern or norm, emphasizing deviation from the norm.

FAQs

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

Use "it seems surprising" to introduce a statement that contrasts with expectations. For example, "It seems surprising that the company's profits increased despite the economic downturn."

What can I say instead of "it seems surprising"?

You can use alternatives like "it's quite unexpected", "it is rather astonishing", or "it's somewhat remarkable depending on the context".

Is "it seems surprising" formal or informal?

"It seems surprising" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though the surrounding language should match the overall tone.

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

"It seems surprising" suggests a personal impression or observation, while "it is surprising" states a more objective fact. The former is slightly less direct.