most surprisingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most surprisingly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize an unexpected or astonishing aspect of a situation or event. Example: "Most surprisingly, the team managed to complete the project ahead of schedule despite the numerous challenges they faced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Most surprisingly delightful British film Wild Bill.

Independent

So, most surprisingly, is Israel.

The New York Times

Most surprisingly of all, she turned out to be funny.

The Guardian

Most surprisingly, the whole experience felt very liberating.

The Guardian

Most surprisingly, this team looks far more youthful than expected.

Independent

But perhaps most surprisingly of all, a recent study found a link between height and politics.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Most surprisingly, on Christmas Day he finished weaning himself off the anti-psychotic medication Zyprexa.

The Guardian - Music

One of New York's most surprisingly romantic restaurants is hidden on an obscure SoHo side street.

The New York Times

"I used to love Shabba Ranks," he says, perhaps most surprisingly of all.

The Guardian - Music

Perhaps most surprisingly, a week later, I'm still eating a largely vegan diet at home.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Most surprisingly, Deana Carter shoots a steamy erotic current through the lost-highway saga, "State Trooper".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most surprisingly" to introduce an element that sharply contrasts with prior expectations or known facts. This creates emphasis and adds impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "most surprisingly" multiple times in close proximity. This can dilute the impact of the phrase and make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most surprisingly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause or sentence to express a high degree of unexpectedness or astonishment. It serves to highlight a particular element as notably surprising, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most surprisingly" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to highlight unexpected elements within a narrative. Ludwig analysis confirms it as grammatically correct and frequently employed across various contexts, particularly in news and media. Its neutral to formal register and the capacity to add emphasis make it a valuable tool for writers aiming to draw attention to noteworthy surprises. While common, writers should be mindful of overuse to maintain the phrase's impact. Alternatives like ""most unexpectedly"" or ""surprisingly enough"" can offer variety while conveying similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most unexpectedly

Focuses on the lack of anticipation of the event.

to everyone's surprise

Highlights the general feeling of astonishment.

rather astonishingly

Emphasizes the degree of amazement caused.

in an unforeseen manner

Stresses the unpredictable nature of the situation.

contrary to expectation

Highlights the divergence from what was predicted.

against all odds

Emphasizes the improbability of the event occurring.

who would have thought

Implies a sense of disbelief and wonder.

it's really quite something

Highlights the noteworthy and remarkable nature of the event.

surprisingly enough

Adds a conversational tone to express mild surprise.

to my utter astonishment

Intensifies the speaker's personal feeling of amazement.

FAQs

How can I use "most surprisingly" in a sentence?

Use "most surprisingly" to introduce a fact or situation that significantly deviates from what is expected. For example, "Most surprisingly, the underdog team won the championship."

What are some alternatives to "most surprisingly"?

You can use alternatives like "most unexpectedly", "to everyone's surprise", or "surprisingly enough" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to use "most surprisingly" or "surprisingly"?

"Most surprisingly" generally adds more emphasis and can be suitable for both formal and informal contexts, while "surprisingly" is a more neutral alternative.

What's the difference between "surprisingly" and "most surprisingly"?

"Surprisingly" simply indicates something unexpected, while "most surprisingly" emphasizes a higher degree of unexpectedness or astonishment. The latter adds more dramatic effect.