may come as a surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may come as a surprise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is unexpected or unexpected. For example: "His decision to accept the job offer may come as a surprise to many of his colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This may come as a surprise.

The Guardian - Tech

The second, though, may come as a surprise.

The Economist

His political sympathies, too, may come as a surprise.

The New York Times

To some people this may come as a surprise.

The New York Times

This may come as a surprise, given the travails of that country's economy.

The Economist

That the language is blunt and occasionally a little un-Christian may come as a surprise.

The New York Times - Books

It may come as a surprise, therefore, to learn that the film is Belgian.

The New Yorker

That may come as a surprise to those who are currently dodging the many repaving projects.

The New York Times

This may come as a surprise to their partner, leading to fissures in the relationship.

The New York Times

Weekly, analysts have been tweaking their forecasts upwards.The answer may come as a surprise.

The Economist

This may come as a surprise, given how common and widespread the notion is.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may come as a surprise" to introduce a fact or situation that is contrary to common knowledge or prevailing assumptions. This is especially effective when aiming to pique the reader's interest or challenge their preconceived notions.

Common error

Avoid using "may come as a surprise" too frequently in a single piece of writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing seem predictable. Opt for varied expressions to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

May come as a surprise functions as an introductory phrase, often used to preface a statement that the speaker or writer believes will be unexpected or contrary to the listener's or reader's prior knowledge. This phrase prepares the audience for something that deviates from their assumptions. Ludwig confirms this common usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may come as a surprise" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signals the introduction of unexpected or contrary information. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, most notably in news and media, science, and formal business settings. The phrase functions primarily to pique the reader's interest by setting up the premise that what follows might be novel or conflict with common knowledge. Though versatile, it's important to be mindful of overuse and consider variations to maintain reader engagement. Ultimately, "may come as a surprise" serves as an effective tool to gently challenge assumptions and introduce intriguing details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be unexpected

Focuses on the lack of expectation rather than the feeling of surprise itself.

could be astonishing

Emphasizes the degree of surprise, suggesting it is quite significant.

could be contrary to expectations

Directly points out the conflict with what was anticipated.

might raise eyebrows

Suggests mild surprise or skepticism.

might catch you off guard

Highlights the unpreparedness for the information.

could be a shock

Implies a more intense level of surprise, potentially negative.

could be unforeseen

Emphasizes the lack of anticipation or planning for the event.

might be a revelation

Indicates that the surprise leads to new understanding.

could prove startling

Implies a sudden and potentially alarming surprise.

might defy belief

Suggests the surprise is so great that it's hard to accept.

FAQs

How can I use "may come as a surprise" in a sentence?

You can use "may come as a surprise" to introduce information that contrasts with what people generally expect or believe. For example: "It "may come as a surprise", but the company's profits increased despite the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to "may come as a surprise"?

Alternatives include "might be unexpected", "could be astonishing", or "might raise eyebrows", depending on the level of surprise you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "may come as a surprise" or "might come as a surprise"?

Both "may come as a surprise" and "might come as a surprise" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. "May" suggests a slightly higher probability or possibility than "might", but the difference is often negligible in this context.

What's the difference between "may come as a surprise" and "is surprising"?

"May come as a surprise" introduces something that is potentially unexpected to the audience. "Is surprising" simply states that something is surprising, without necessarily implying that it wasn't already known. The former is anticipatory, while the latter is declarative.