it was certainly a surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was certainly a surprise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something unexpected occurred, often in a context where the surprise is significant or noteworthy. Example: "When I opened the door to find a party waiting for me, it was certainly a surprise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"It was certainly a surprise to us that the risk started within the first few years after exposure, as radiation-related heart disease has traditionally been thought of as usually occurring several decades after exposure," Dr. Darby said.

The New York Times - Health

Yes, Eric Cantor lost, and it was certainly a surprise — above all, perhaps, to his opponent, who at one point said that he was "shocked" to find himself in first place.

The New Yorker

By Jeffrey Frank June 11 , 2014Yes, Eric Cantor lost, and it was certainly a surprise — above all, perhaps, to his opponent, who at one point said that he was "shocked" to find himself in first place.

The New Yorker

But the person playing the understated twentysomething Englishman, used by Waugh to satirise the journalism of the 1930s, was kept a closely guarded secret, so when he finally came on stage it was certainly a surprise – the voluble middle-aged Scot, James Naughtie.

The Guardian - Books

It was certainly a surprise".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"I'm thrilled; it's certainly a surprise.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's certainly a surprise from what he looked like a couple of weeks ago," Mr. Black said.

The New York Times

"It's certainly a surprise," Uwe Andersen, a political scientist at Ruhr University in Bochum, said in a telephone interview.

The New York Times

"It's certainly a surprise, but we'll see the reasons for this ruling," said Franca De Mauro, daughter of the journalist.

Wikipedia

We will let them know within the two hours... it'll be a surprise who it is, and it's certainly a surprise to Emily".

Huffington Post

I didn't think for one second that I'd be on the list - it was certainly a pleasant surprise," said Mr Green.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was certainly a surprise" to express genuine astonishment, especially when the unexpected event has significant implications. For instance, "When the company announced record profits despite the economic downturn, "it was certainly a surprise" to investors".

Common error

Avoid using "it was certainly a surprise" for minor, everyday occurrences. Reserve it for events that genuinely deviate from expectations and warrant emphasis. Don't say "It was certainly a surprise when the sun rose this morning"; instead, consider using it when a known pessimist offers unexpected praise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was certainly a surprise" functions as an exclamatory statement expressing astonishment or unexpectedness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both correct and usable in English. This expression serves to highlight the unexpected nature of an event or piece of information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was certainly a surprise" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express genuine astonishment, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While its frequency is uncommon, it's appropriate for a range of contexts, particularly in news and media. To avoid overuse, reserve it for instances that genuinely deviate from expectations. Consider alternatives like "it came as a surprise" or "it was quite unexpected" for nuanced variations in meaning. Source quality is generally high, indicating its reliability. Remember to emphasize genuine unexpectedness and the emphasis on what you found to be surprising.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it came as a surprise

Focuses on the arrival of the surprise rather than certainty.

it was quite unexpected

Emphasizes the lack of anticipation.

it caught me off guard

Highlights the unpreparedness for the event.

it took me by surprise

Similar to "caught me off guard" but slightly less idiomatic.

it was totally unforeseen

Stresses the complete absence of prediction.

it was a complete shock

Indicates a stronger emotional reaction of astonishment.

it defied expectations

Highlights the contrast between the outcome and what was anticipated.

it was rather startling

Emphasizes the sudden and perhaps alarming nature of the surprise.

it was a bolt from the blue

Uses a metaphor to describe the sudden and unexpected nature.

it blindsided me

Suggests the surprise was forceful and left one disoriented.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was certainly a surprise"?

You can use alternatives such as "it came as a surprise", "it was quite unexpected", or "it took me by surprise" depending on the context.

Is "it was certainly a surprise" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was certainly a surprise" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "it proved unexpected" or "it was unforeseen".

What does "it was certainly a surprise" imply?

The phrase implies that something happened that was not expected and that the speaker or writer is emphasizing the unexpected nature of the event. The use of "certainly" adds emphasis to the surprise.

When should I use "it was certainly a surprise" instead of "it was a surprise"?

Use "it was certainly a surprise" when you want to strongly emphasize the unexpected nature of something. The addition of "certainly" amplifies the feeling of surprise, making it more impactful than simply stating "it was a surprise".