it was really surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was really surprising" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express your astonishment or disbelief about an event or situation that was unexpected. Example: "When I found out she had won the award, it was really surprising to everyone in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

So it was really surprising.

The Guardian - Music

"It was really surprising".

The New York Times

It was really surprising when people starting coming in the hundreds, and then thousands.

The Guardian

"This was very historic, this was the first time the Kurds lost the ballot and it was really surprising".

The New York Times

"It was really surprising how people who were much further along in their gender transition than me, how they were still figuring it out, too," says Grace. "That was really reassuring to me".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"But it was really surprising that they didn't seem to have to learn anything.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"It's really surprising.

The New Yorker

"It's really surprising the way it works out in the end," Joy said.

The New Yorker

Despite how stunning the breadth of this invasion is, none of it is really surprising.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's really surprising the skill that is required to take a new play and unleash it, let it find what it needs to be, but isn't yet," he said.

The New York Times

In a recent blog post on his Web site, trulyfreefilm.com, the producer Ted Hope, whose recent titles include "Adventureland," wrote that it "is really surprising how few true indie films speak to a youth audience".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was really surprising" to introduce an unexpected development or outcome in a narrative, creating a sense of intrigue for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "really" excessively. While it amplifies "surprising", overuse can weaken the impact. Consider stronger synonyms like "astonishing" or "remarkable" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was really surprising" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating the speaker's reaction to an unexpected event or situation. As Ludwig AI highlights, this expression conveys a sense of astonishment or disbelief.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was really surprising" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express a sense of unexpectedness. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, consider the context and audience when choosing alternatives for enhanced impact or formality. The phrase is frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific publications, making it quite versatile. Remember to avoid overusing "really" for stronger, more nuanced expressions of surprise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it genuinely took me by surprise

Highlights the authentic shock felt by the speaker; adds emphasis with "genuinely".

it proved to be quite unexpected

Focuses on the lack of anticipation preceding the event; uses a slightly more formal construction.

it caught me completely off guard

Highlights the unpreparedness of the speaker; uses a more idiomatic expression.

it came as a genuine shock

Emphasizes the unexpected and startling nature of the event; uses stronger vocabulary to convey surprise.

it was altogether out of the blue

Emphasizes the sudden and unprompted nature of the event; uses a more casual idiom.

i found it rather startling

Emphasizes the speaker's personal experience of surprise; introduces a slightly milder tone.

it was utterly astonishing

Highlights the extreme level of amazement caused by the event; introduces a more formal tone.

it was remarkably unforeseen

Stresses that the event was impossible to predict; uses more sophisticated vocabulary.

it defied all expectations

Stresses the contrast between the event and what was anticipated; introduces a sense of challenging norms.

it was a complete revelation

Suggests that the event uncovered something previously unknown; shifts focus to the informative aspect.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it was really surprising"?

You can use alternatives like "it came as a genuine shock", "it proved to be quite unexpected", or "it caught me completely off guard" depending on the context.

How can I make the phrase "it was really surprising" sound more formal?

To sound more formal, consider replacing "it was really surprising" with phrases like "it was utterly astonishing" or "it was remarkably unforeseen".

Is "it is really surprising" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it is really surprising" is grammatically correct. The tense simply indicates whether the surprising event is ongoing or has already occurred. "It was really surprising" refers to something that happened in the past, while "it is really surprising" refers to something happening now.

When should I use "it was really surprising" over other similar phrases?

Use "it was really surprising" when you want to convey a general sense of unexpectedness without necessarily emphasizing the intensity of the surprise. If you want to express a stronger level of shock or disbelief, alternatives like "it defied all expectations" might be more appropriate.