little bit of a surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little bit of a surprise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or unexpected event or feeling that catches someone off guard. Example: "When she walked in with a cake, it was a little bit of a surprise for everyone at the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

It's going to be a little bit of a surprise.

Independent

"That was a little bit of a surprise".

The New York Times - Tech

"It was a little bit of a surprise with all the teams calling," Youkilis said.

The New York Times - Sports

But the other three are a little bit of a surprise".

The New York Times - Sports

"I think it's a little bit of a surprise for the team.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a little bit of a surprise, to be honest.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

"We think we have the potential once again for an earnings season where expectations are a little too low, and when the earnings finally do come out, we could have a little bit of an upside surprise," said Ryan Detrick, senior technical strategist at Schaeffer's Investment Research.

The New York Times

Donald Rumsfeld got a little bit of an unpleasant surprise recently.

Huffington Post

"We thought there would be some disparity and a little bit of a difference, but we were surprised there were such significant differences," said Dr. Omar Hasan, a hospitalist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston who was the lead author of the study, in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.

The New York Times

"It's great for the confidence of the young players to know away from home they can come back after a little bit of a shaky start - we were surprised by Tottenham's pace and quality," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Much to our surprise it was a little bit of a hit.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little bit of a surprise", ensure the context clarifies what is surprising. A clear antecedent strengthens the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "little bit of a surprise" to describe truly significant or shocking events. It minimizes the impact and can seem like an understatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little bit of a surprise" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing reactions to unexpected events or situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little bit of a surprise" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a mildly unexpected event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, with numerous examples from reputable news and media sources. While generally neutral in register, it is most frequently encountered in journalistic contexts. When using this phrase, it's best to ensure it aligns with the scale of the surprise – avoiding overstatement is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unexpected

This alternative is more concise and emphasizes the unexpected nature of the event or situation.

rather unforeseen

This alternative emphasizes the lack of anticipation or foresight.

somewhat unanticipated

This is a more formal alternative to 'somewhat unexpected'.

slightly unexpected turn

This alternative emphasizes a change in events that was not anticipated.

mildly astonishing

This alternative is slightly more formal and highlights the element of astonishment.

marginally surprising

This alternative is formal and focuses on the degree to which something is surprising.

a small shock

This emphasizes the unexpected and jarring nature, though on a small scale.

slightly startling

This alternative emphasizes the mild shock or surprise experienced.

a minor revelation

This alternative suggests that the surprise involves a discovery or realization, even if small.

kind of a shock

This alternative is more informal and direct, expressing a degree of shock.

FAQs

How can I use "little bit of a surprise" in a sentence?

You can use "little bit of a surprise" to describe something mildly unexpected. For instance, "It was a "little bit of a surprise" when she announced her sudden departure."

What are some alternatives to "little bit of a surprise"?

Alternatives include "somewhat unexpected", "mildly astonishing", or "slightly startling", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a little bit of surprise"?

Yes, "a little bit of surprise" is grammatically correct, although the inclusion of "a" before "little" is generally preferred for better flow and clarity.

What's the difference between "little bit of a surprise" and just saying "surprise"?

"Surprise" is a general term. "Little bit of a surprise" implies a less intense or significant level of astonishment compared to a full-blown surprise.