it was completely unexpected

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was completely unexpected" is an appropriate phrase for written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express that something occurred without warning. For example, "I was nervous to present my project to the class, but they gave me a standing ovation - it was completely unexpected".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

It was completely unexpected.

The Guardian - Sport

"For us it was completely unexpected.

Independent

"It was completely unexpected," he said.

The Guardian

"It was completely unexpected, remarkable, almost unbelievable," Taira said.

The New Yorker

"For us it was completely unexpected," he claimed.

The Guardian

When this massive breakthrough came in Norway it was completely unexpected.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

It's completely unexpected".

The New York Times

It is completely unexpected, and entirely believable.

The New York Times

It's completely unexpected – it's a bonus Sunday for Wimbledon and for us".

The Guardian - Sport

He continually takes a genre that we know and love and explodes it - it's completely unexpected and it's thrilling.

The Guardian - Film

Like so many experiences I have in El Salvador, it's completely unexpected, a hell of a lot of fun, and features volcanoes in some form.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was completely unexpected" to clearly communicate a sense of surprise or lack of prior knowledge about an event. It's effective in narratives, reports, and everyday conversation to emphasize the unforeseen nature of something.

Common error

While "it was completely unexpected" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "it was entirely unforeseen" or "it defied all expectations" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was completely unexpected" primarily functions as a statement expressing surprise or lack of anticipation regarding a particular event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was completely unexpected" is a versatile phrase used to express surprise or a lack of anticipation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically sound and commonly found in news, media, and informal conversations. While useful across multiple contexts, it is advisable to consider more formal alternatives for academic writing to maintain precision. The phrase effectively conveys that an event was unforeseen, adding emphasis to narratives and reports. Related alternatives include "it came as a total surprise" and "it was entirely unforeseen", which offer subtle variations in meaning and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it came as a total surprise

Emphasizes the element of surprise.

it was entirely unforeseen

Highlights the lack of anticipation.

it was quite unanticipated

A more formal way to express the lack of expectation.

it caught me off guard

Indicates a state of unpreparedness.

it took me by surprise

Similar to "caught me off guard", focusing on the surprise element.

it was beyond my expectations

Highlights that the event exceeded what was anticipated.

it was out of the blue

Implies the event happened suddenly and without warning.

i never saw it coming

An informal way to express a lack of anticipation.

it defied all expectations

Suggests the event was contrary to what was expected.

i didn't anticipate it at all

Directly states the lack of any anticipation.

FAQs

What does "it was completely unexpected" mean?

The phrase "it was completely unexpected" signifies that something happened without any prior indication or anticipation. It expresses surprise at an event or outcome.

How can I use "it was completely unexpected" in a sentence?

You can use "it was completely unexpected" to describe a surprising event. For example, "The positive feedback on my presentation "it was completely unexpected"."

What can I say instead of "it was completely unexpected"?

You can use alternatives like "it came as a total surprise", "it was entirely unforeseen", or "it caught me off guard" depending on the context.

Is "it was completely unexpected" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was completely unexpected" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, consider alternatives such as "it was quite unanticipated".