it was very unexpected

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was very unexpected" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it in a variety of situations, such as when you want to express surprise. For example, "We received the news this morning that the company had gone bankrupt - it was very unexpected."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was very early summer or late spring.

The New York Times

"It was very 1964, original," Mr. Croce recalled.

The New York Times

Cutting off fingers?' 'Hundreds of them,' he said dreamily, for it was very late.

The Guardian - Travel

That wasn't bad, it was very 1800s.

Huffington Post

It's very 1990s meets backstage Glastonbury.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's very 2016," she quipped.

The Guardian - Tech

"And it's very summer.

Los Angeles Times

It's very Easter Parade.

Huffington Post

It's very 1974 all up in here.

Huffington Post

Krautrock was very 1993, which probably means it's also very 2010.

The New Yorker

And it was very real this week online.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was very unexpected" to describe situations that genuinely surprised you or others. Avoid using it for predictable outcomes, even if they are slightly different from what you anticipated.

Common error

Avoid using "it was very unexpected" when describing slightly altered versions of a known event. Save it for situations that are truly surprising. For instance, saying "It was very unexpected that the train was 5 minutes late" dilutes the phrase's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was very unexpected" functions as a statement expressing surprise or a lack of anticipation regarding a particular event or situation. It typically follows a subject (the situation or event) and uses a form of the verb 'to be' to link the subject with the adjective phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was very unexpected" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to express surprise. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Due to a lack of example sentences it is hard to accurately pinpoint the main contexts in which the phrase can be used, and for this reason the frequency is marked as missing. While the phrase is versatile and can be used in various contexts, there are more descriptive alternatives that can deliver nuance in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it came as a complete surprise

Emphasizes the element of surprise more strongly.

it was entirely unforeseen

Highlights the lack of foresight or prediction.

it took me completely by surprise

Focuses on the personal experience of being surprised.

it was a bolt from the blue

Uses a metaphor to describe the suddenness and unexpectedness.

it caught me off guard

Indicates a lack of preparedness for the event.

it was out of the blue

Like "a bolt from the blue", it indicates that something was not expected.

it was hardly anticipated

Emphasizes the lack of anticipation.

it wasn't predicted at all

Highlights the absence of any prediction or expectation.

it defied all expectations

Suggests the outcome was contrary to what was expected.

it was rather astonishing

Focuses on the amazement caused by the unexpected event.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was very unexpected" to describe something that surprised you. For example, "The sudden resignation of the CEO /s/it+was+very+unexpected".

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

You can use alternatives like "it came as a complete surprise", "it was entirely unforeseen", or "it took me completely by surprise depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "it was very unexpected"?

Yes, the phrase "it was very unexpected" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express surprise or a lack of anticipation.

What is the difference between "it was unexpected" and "it was very unexpected"?

The phrase "it was very unexpected" emphasizes the degree of surprise more strongly than simply saying "it was unexpected".