it was rather surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was rather surprising" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something was unexpected or caught you off guard. Example: "When I heard the news, it was rather surprising to learn that they had won the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It was rather surprising to see one from Britain! Inevitably, it took me quite a while to publish on this".

The Guardian

Even with this in mind, it was rather surprising to see Arsène Wenger, of all people, advocate the introduction of kick-ins to replace throws back in 2009.

The Guardian - Sport

Still, Mr Park said it was "rather surprising" so many students voted for Kim, but in fact there were no other candidates for the highest post in student leadership at the university.

Independent

So it was rather surprising when the Jets all but shut down the Steelers' offense, holding it to 263 yards and a touchdown in a 19-16 ovictory victory.

The New York Times - Sports

So it was rather surprising to find Ed Whelan at the National Review praising McGinnis' paper as an originalist case for judicial restraint.

Huffington Post

It was rather surprising that two female spermatogenesis genes (kelch and E2F) were among the down-reulated gene list.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Actually, it's rather surprising that HP who constantly reinvents its all-in-one touchsmart computers haven't already done this.

TechCrunch

"It's rather surprising to find Halliburton doing business with Saddam.

The New Yorker

It's rather surprising that sector-wide, such a debate hasn't happened yet.

The Guardian

It's rather surprising, in the circumstances, that Labour hasn't sought to make any progress towards reforming such an unpopular tax.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most of the program focuses on the Sahara's human rather than geological history, and it is rather surprising how much fuss has been made over this "world of mesmerizing desolation," as the narration labels it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance the impact, follow the phrase with a "that" clause that specifies the surprising element. For example, "It was rather surprising that the underdog team won the championship".

Common error

While "rather" can add emphasis, overusing it can make your writing sound stilted or overly formal. Consider replacing it with alternatives like "quite", "somewhat", or simply omitting it for a more direct statement if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was rather surprising" functions as an introductory clause expressing a sense of unexpectedness or mild astonishment. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for expressing surprise.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was rather surprising" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce an element of unexpectedness. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it appears across diverse sources, including science and news media. While the phrase is appropriate for both neutral and slightly formal registers, be careful not to overuse "rather", as it can make your writing seem stilted. Consider alternatives like "it was quite unexpected" or "it came as a surprise" to vary your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It was quite unexpected

This alternative uses "quite unexpected" to convey surprise, differing slightly in emphasis.

It came as a surprise

This alternative rephrases the surprise as an event that "came as a surprise".

It was completely unforeseen

This suggests that the event was not anticipated at all, emphasizing a lack of expectation.

It was rather astonishing

This alternative uses "astonishing" to amplify the sense of surprise.

It proved to be an eye-opener

This implies that the event revealed something significant or enlightening.

It defied expectations

This emphasizes that the event went against what was predicted or anticipated.

It was a bolt from the blue

This idiom suggests the event was sudden and completely unexpected.

It was a shock

This simplifies the expression to a direct statement of shock.

It took me by surprise

This phrase focuses on the personal experience of being surprised.

It was out of the blue

This idiom indicates that the event happened without any warning.

FAQs

How can I use "it was rather surprising" in a sentence?

Use "it was rather surprising" to introduce an event, fact, or outcome that deviates from what was expected. For instance, "It was rather surprising that the weather remained sunny despite the forecast."

What are some alternatives to "it was rather surprising"?

You can use alternatives like "it was quite unexpected", "it came as a surprise", or "it was completely unforeseen" depending on the context.

Is "it is rather surprising" grammatically different from "it was rather surprising"?

Yes, the tense differs. "It is rather surprising" refers to something currently surprising, while "it was rather surprising" refers to something that was surprising in the past.

When is it appropriate to use "it was rather surprising" in formal writing?

It is suitable for formal writing when you need to convey a sense of unexpectedness or mild astonishment in a controlled and professional manner. However, avoid overuse to maintain a clear and direct tone.