it was startling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was startling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a surprising or shocking experience or event. Example: "When the lights suddenly went out, it was startling to everyone in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was startling in its lethality.

The New York Times

It was startling, frankly.

The New York Times

It was startling, she said.

The New Yorker

"It was startling," he said.

The New York Times

It was startling, new and very fresh.

The New York Times - Arts

"It was startling to a lot of people," Adjaye concedes.

The New Yorker

What happened wasn't particularly funny, but it was startling.

The New York Times

The declaration was as refreshing as it was startling.

The New York Times

It was startling: a little slide and the Mercedes plunged.

The New Yorker

It was startling, exhilarating, and suddenly I was wide awake.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is startling in its fearlessness, even today.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was startling" to introduce an observation that deviates from expectations or norms, immediately capturing the reader's attention and setting the stage for further explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "it was startling" for minor surprises or everyday occurrences. Reserve it for genuinely unexpected or impactful situations to maintain its effectiveness and avoid diluting its meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was startling" functions as a declarative statement expressing surprise or shock. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct. The word "startling" acts as a predicate adjective modifying "it," conveying the unexpected or surprising nature of a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was startling" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express surprise or shock. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and its prevalence in the News & Media. While its use is generally appropriate, writers should avoid overusing it for minor surprises. Consider using alternatives like "it was surprising" or "it was astonishing" to add nuance, depending on the intensity you want to convey. Use "it was startling" when you want to convey that something was very surprising or shocking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was astonishing

Emphasizes a sense of great surprise and disbelief, stronger than just startling.

it was surprising

Indicates an unexpected event or discovery, less intense than startling.

it was shocking

Conveys a stronger sense of negativity and disbelief, often associated with something offensive or disturbing.

it was unexpected

Highlights the lack of anticipation, focusing on the unforeseen nature of the event.

it was remarkable

Stresses the unusual and noteworthy quality of the event, implying admiration or fascination.

it was incredible

Suggests something hard to believe, often due to its extraordinary nature.

it was stunning

Implies a sense of beauty or impressiveness that causes surprise or amazement.

it was unforeseen

Focuses on the fact that the event was not predicted or anticipated.

it was unanticipated

Similar to 'unforeseen', emphasizing the lack of prior expectation.

it was eye-opening

Indicates a revelation or realization that changes one's perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "it was startling" in a sentence?

Use "it was startling" to describe an event, realization, or piece of information that caused surprise or shock. For example, "It was startling to see how much the city had changed in just a few years."

What are some alternatives to "it was startling"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it was surprising", "it was astonishing", or "it was shocking", depending on the intensity of the surprise you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it was startling"?

Yes, "it was startling" is grammatically correct. 'It' is a pronoun, 'was' is a past tense form of 'to be', and 'startling' is an adjective describing the subject.

What is the difference between "it was startling" and "it was surprising"?

While both describe something unexpected, "it was startling" suggests a more sudden or intense feeling of surprise than "it was surprising". 'Startling' implies a jolt or shock, whereas 'surprising' simply means unexpected.