of all things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of all things" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it in a sentence to emphasize something as being surprisingly or unexpectedly true. For example, "She chose to drive a motorcycle, of all things!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sushi, of all things!

The New York Times

Of all things.

Stanford University

Of all things, wholesomeness.

The New York Times

Behind us a spoonbill of all things.

Independent

It was, of all things, the edit.

The New York Times

Of all things difficult to bear,.

The New Yorker

"God, creator of all things".

The New Yorker

The most perfect, Socrates, of all things.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"She's an Episcopal priest, of all things.

The New Yorker

They have earned, of all things, trust.

The Washington Post

"A purse, of all things," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of all things" to express surprise or disbelief at an unexpected event, choice, or situation. This adds emphasis and color to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "of all things" excessively in formal writing, as it can sound too informal or conversational. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "surprisingly" or "unexpectedly" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of all things" primarily functions as an interjectional phrase, used to express surprise, disbelief, or astonishment at a particular situation or event. Ludwig examples show it often introduces an unexpected or unlikely element.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

23%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "of all things" is a common phrase used to express surprise or disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, predominantly in news and media, but also in academic and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's best to use it judiciously in formal writing to avoid sounding too informal. Consider alternatives like "surprisingly" or "unexpectedly" for a more neutral tone. Remember to leverage "of all things" to add color and emphasis when highlighting the unexpected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surprisingly

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of something in a more direct manner.

unexpectedly

Highlights the lack of anticipation surrounding an event or occurrence.

remarkably

Draws attention to the notable and surprising nature of something.

oddly enough

Indicates something is peculiar or strange in addition to being surprising.

who would have thought

Expresses astonishment or disbelief at an unexpected outcome.

incredibly

Stresses the high degree of surprise or unbelievability.

believe it or not

Introduces a statement that might be hard to accept or anticipate.

would you believe

Poses a question inviting disbelief or surprise about a given fact.

of all situations

Focuses on the unexpectedness within a specific circumstance, rather than in general.

of all the options

Highlights the unexpected choice made from a set of possibilities.

FAQs

How can I use "of all things" in a sentence?

Use "of all things" to express surprise or disbelief about something. For example, "He decided to become a clown, "of all things"!"

What phrases are similar to "of all things"?

Alternatives include "surprisingly", "unexpectedly", or "believe it or not", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "of all things" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "of all things" is generally better suited for informal or conversational contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "surprisingly" or "unexpectedly".

What does "of all things" emphasize in a sentence?

"Of all things" emphasizes the unexpected or surprising nature of a particular fact, event, or choice. It adds a layer of astonishment or disbelief to the statement.