may surprise from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may surprise from" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and does not convey a clear meaning; a more appropriate structure is needed to express surprise related to a subject. Example: "The results may surprise you."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This may surprise from a policy perspective.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Afghanistan is almost as closed and unfathomable now as it was a century ago; Tibet may surprise us yet; and from the former Soviet Central Asian republics we hear little and read less.

The New York Times - Books

Here, I may surprise you by dissuading you from going for International Relations / International Affairs / International Development / Public Affairs.

Huffington Post

So Amir Bar-Lev's documentary, Happy Valley, about the Penn State sex scandal that unfolded from mid-2011 to 2012, may surprise people.

Huffington Post

"It may surprise you to get a letter from me, of all people.

The Guardian - Books

It may surprise you that all tea comes from exactly the same plant, Camellia sinensis.

The New York Times - Magazine

Very early life drawings and portraits from the 1920s may surprise his doubters.

The Guardian - Arts

Detaching health insurance from employment status may surprise Americans who assume that the two necessarily go together.

Science Magazine

Main's influences may surprise people, as she draws inspiration from nature, particularly the ocean.

Vice

Weiland's new solo album, titled "12 Bar Blues" and due March 31 from Atlantic Records, may surprise critics of his work with Stone Temple Pilots.

Los Angeles Times

While you may be able to spot the hick from the kicks, they may surprise you.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "may surprise from". Instead, use constructions like "may surprise you" or "might come as a surprise" for grammatical correctness.

Common error

The preposition "from" is often misused after "surprise". Ensure you're using the correct preposition, such as in the phrase "may surprise you", rather than the grammatically incorrect "may surprise from".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may surprise from" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, it is not standard English. The correct form typically involves a direct object, such as in phrases like "may surprise you".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may surprise from" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use in standard English. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is better to use alternatives like "may surprise you" or rephrase the sentence to avoid the error. The phrase has a rare occurrence and is generally advised against in formal writing. Always ensure correct preposition usage to maintain clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might surprise

Replaces "may" with "might", indicating possibility, but maintains the core verb.

could be surprising

Emphasizes the potential for causing surprise using an adjective form.

might come as a surprise

Rephrases the idea as an event that occurs unexpectedly.

may not be surprising

Expresses an expectation that something is unlikely to cause surprise.

may elicit surprise

Focuses on the action of causing surprise in someone.

can be startling

Highlights the potentially shocking or alarming nature of something unexpected.

might catch you off guard

Focuses on the unprepared state of the person experiencing the surprise.

could prove unexpected

Emphasizes the aspect of unpredictability.

may take aback

Highlights the reaction of shock or bewilderment.

can be astonishing

Uses a stronger adjective to denote a greater degree of surprise.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "may surprise" in a sentence?

The phrase "may surprise" typically requires a direct object, such as "may surprise you" or "may surprise readers". Avoid using the preposition "from" after "surprise" as it is grammatically incorrect.

What's a more grammatically correct alternative to "may surprise from"?

Instead of "may surprise from", consider using phrases like "might surprise you", "may come as a surprise", or "could be surprising".

Is "may surprise from" ever correct in English?

No, the phrase "may surprise from" is not considered correct in standard English. Use alternative constructions to express the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "may surprise you" and "may surprise from"?

"May surprise you" is grammatically sound and means something might cause you to feel surprised. In contrast, "may surprise from" is grammatically incorrect and lacks a clear meaning.