mildly surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mildly surprising" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is somewhat unexpected but not overwhelmingly so. Example: "The results of the experiment were mildly surprising, as we had anticipated a different outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

The New Yorker, July 24 , 1926 P. 7Riding up 5th Avenue in summer is mildly surprising.

The New Yorker

The New York pairing of Walsh and D'Antoni, two widely respected basketball minds, is impressive and mildly surprising.

The New York Times - Sports

I think I'm speaking for a bunch of girls when I say that the idea that feminism is completely natural and shouldn't even be something that people find mildly surprising.

Huffington Post

More on the mildly surprising results next week.

The New Yorker

For Tsonga, the turn of events must have been at least mildly surprising.

The New York Times

These and other, similar findings seem only mildly surprising, until placed in a larger context.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

OK, mildly surprised.

The Guardian - Sport

Chaka looks mildly surprised.

The Guardian - Travel

Surprising myself.

Independent

Not surprising.

The New York Times

Surprising certainly.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mildly surprising" to express a reaction to something that deviates slightly from expectations without causing strong reactions. This is effective for maintaining a neutral or understated tone.

Common error

Avoid using "mildly surprising" when the situation warrants a stronger expression of surprise or shock. Ensure the adverb "mildly" accurately reflects the degree of unexpectedness. If something is shocking it's better to use the word 'shocking' instead of "mildly surprising".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mildly surprising" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that causes a low degree of surprise. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mildly surprising" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe something that is somewhat unexpected but not shocking. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, offering a neutral way to acknowledge deviations from expectations. As Ludwig AI confirms, its appropriate usage lies in situations where the level of surprise is low to moderate. When writing, remember to reserve this phrase for scenarios where the degree of surprise aligns with the understated tone of "mildly". If more emphasis is needed, consider alternatives like "somewhat unexpected" or "slightly astonishing".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mildly astonishing

Is a synonym of "mildly surprising", which uses "astonishing" instead of "surprising".

slightly unexpected

Is a synonym of "mildly surprising", which uses "unexpected" instead of "surprising".

a little surprising

Is a synonym of "mildly surprising", which uses "a little" instead of "mildly".

somewhat astonishing

Is a synonym of "mildly surprising", which uses "somewhat" and "astonishing" instead of "mildly" and "surprising".

somewhat unexpected

Implies a slightly less anticipatable event or situation.

slightly astonishing

Emphasizes a bit more the element of wonder or amazement.

a bit startling

Suggests a small degree of alarm or agitation.

rather curious

Focuses on the intriguing or peculiar nature of something.

moderately remarkable

Highlights the noteworthiness of an event, but in a restrained way.

faintly unusual

Indicates a subtle deviation from the norm.

FAQs

How can I use "mildly surprising" in a sentence?

Use "mildly surprising" to describe events or outcomes that are somewhat unexpected but not dramatically so. For example, "It was "mildly surprising" that he arrived on time, given his usual tardiness."

What are some alternatives to "mildly surprising"?

You can use alternatives such as "somewhat unexpected", "slightly astonishing", or "a bit startling" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "mildly surprising"?

It would be incorrect to use "mildly surprising" if the situation evokes strong astonishment or shock; in those cases, stronger words like "shocking" or "astonishing" would be more appropriate. The term is best used for situations that are only somewhat out of the ordinary.

What's the difference between "mildly surprising" and "very surprising"?

"Mildly surprising" indicates a low level of surprise, while "very surprising" implies a high level of surprise. The choice depends on the actual degree of unexpectedness you want to express.