it was very surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was very surprising" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something was unexpected or astonishing in a particular situation. Example: "When I heard the news, I must admit it was very surprising to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

"it was very surprising to find that changes in the interstellar flow show up on such short time scales because interstellar clouds are astronomically large," said study coauthor Eberhard Mobius, a University of New Hampshire physics professor and principal scientist for the IBEX mission.

Los Angeles Times

"It was very surprising, if terminal cancer can ever surprise you," Ms. Smith said.

The New York Times - Style

It was very surprising and very disappointing.

Independent

It was very surprising, an enigma to me.

The New York Times

"It was very surprising to me," Mr. Ahmed said.

The New York Times

It was very surprising to be the focus of the festival, and an honor".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

"It's very surprising".

The New York Times

"For us, it's very surprising".

The New York Times - Sports

"It is very surprising and very disturbing," de Kroon said.

The Guardian

"It's very surprising," said A. M. Sacconaghi, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein.

The New York Times - Tech

"It's very surprising, because it was nothing that we heard of before the injury.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was very surprising" to express genuine astonishment or mild disbelief, but consider stronger synonyms like "astounding" or "shocking" for greater emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "it was very surprising" as a conversational filler without providing specific context or details about what made the situation surprising. This can weaken your writing and make it seem less sincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was very surprising" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a reaction to an unexpected or unforeseen event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was very surprising" is a common and grammatically sound way to express astonishment or disbelief. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's widely used across various contexts, especially in news and media, showcasing its adaptability. While generally neutral in tone, consider stronger synonyms for greater impact, and avoid using it as filler. The phrase's versatility makes it a valuable tool for expressing a range of unexpected reactions, from mild surprise to profound astonishment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it came as a great surprise

Emphasizes the magnitude of the surprise, implying a significant impact.

it was quite unexpected

Focuses on the lack of anticipation or predictability.

it took me by surprise

Highlights the suddenness and unpreparedness for the event.

it was an unexpected turn of events

Highlights the unanticipated nature of the situation or outcome.

it defied expectations

Suggests that the event went against what was predicted or anticipated.

it was astonishing

Emphasizes the degree of wonder and amazement caused by the event.

it was a shock

Highlights the element of suddenness and potential negative impact.

it was unforeseen

Focuses solely on the lack of anticipation or prior knowledge.

it was a complete revelation

Implies that the event uncovered something previously unknown or hidden.

it was beyond belief

Emphasizes the incredulity and difficulty in accepting the event.

FAQs

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

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

How do I use "it was very surprising" in a sentence?

This phrase is typically used to introduce an explanation or reaction to an unexpected event. For example, "It was very surprising to see him at the party, since he said he couldn't make it."

Is "it was very surprising to me" redundant?

While not strictly incorrect, adding "to me" is often redundant because the surprise is implied to be your personal reaction. You can remove "to me" without changing the meaning of the phrase.

What's the difference between "it was surprising" and "it was very surprising"?

Adding "very" intensifies the level of surprise. "It was surprising" indicates a mild sense of unexpectedness, while "it was very surprising" suggests a more significant level of astonishment.