quite unexpected

USAGE SUMMARY

"quite unexpected" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is surprisingly unexpected. Here is an example: "The results of the experiment were quite unexpected. We did not anticipate such a drastic change in the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A quite unexpected bestseller.

The Guardian - Books

That was quite unexpected".

The Guardian - Music

Some of their findings are quite unexpected.

The Economist

One is that it was quite unexpected.

The Economist

Mr. Magimel's award, however, was quite unexpected.

The New York Times

It gave me quite unexpected pleasure.

The Guardian - Books

"It's quite unexpected, but it's nice to see".

The New York Times - Sports

Some results, however, were quite unexpected, especially regarding performance.

The New Yorker

"You gradually see it unfolding, it is all quite unexpected.

The Guardian

There are also surprising numbers of Dutch and Portuguese sites.The Danish one is quite unexpected.

The Economist

"This finding was in some ways quite unexpected," Dr. Witt says.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "quite unexpected", ensure the context clearly establishes what the expected outcome or situation was to emphasize the contrast and the surprise element effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "quite unexpected" in situations where the outcome is inherently uncertain or unpredictable. Using it in such contexts diminishes its impact and can make your writing sound less precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite unexpected" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that was surprising or not anticipated. Ludwig AI shows its use in various contexts, emphasizing its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite unexpected" is a grammatically sound and versatile way to express surprise or a lack of anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across diverse fields, including news, science, and general media, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While its meaning is consistently clear, it's crucial to use it in contexts where an expectation exists to highlight the element of surprise effectively. Consider alternatives like "totally unforeseen" or "completely unanticipated" for nuanced expression. Remember to avoid overuse in inherently uncertain situations to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

totally unforeseen

Emphasizes the complete lack of anticipation, akin to "quite unexpected" but with a stronger sense of inevitability.

completely unanticipated

Stresses the absence of any prior anticipation, similar to "quite unexpected" in highlighting surprise.

entirely unpredicted

Highlights the lack of prediction, mirroring the surprise element of "quite unexpected".

utterly surprising

Emphasizes the level of surprise, providing a more emphatic alternative to "quite unexpected".

altogether unforeseen

Similar to 'totally unforeseen', it denotes a lack of foresight or prediction.

genuinely surprising

Highlights the authenticity of the surprise, akin to "quite unexpected" but with a focus on genuineness.

remarkably unanticipated

Adds an element of noteworthiness to the lack of anticipation, slightly amplifying the surprise.

wholly unpredicted

Shares a similar meaning with 'entirely unpredicted', conveying a sense of completeness in the absence of foresight.

rather astonishing

Shifts the focus slightly towards the astonishment caused by the unexpectedness, adding emotional impact.

somewhat out of the blue

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey unexpectedness, indicating sudden and surprising occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "quite unexpected" in a sentence?

You can use "quite unexpected" to describe a surprising outcome or event. For example, "The success of the project was "quite unexpected", given the initial challenges."

What are some alternatives to saying "quite unexpected"?

Alternatives include "totally unforeseen", "completely unanticipated", or "entirely unpredicted", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very quite unexpected"?

Yes, saying "very quite unexpected" is generally considered redundant. "Quite" already implies a degree of unexpectedness, so adding "very" doesn't add significant meaning and can sound awkward.

What's the difference between "quite unexpected" and "completely unexpected"?

"Quite unexpected" suggests a moderate level of surprise, while "completely unexpected" implies a total lack of anticipation. The choice depends on the degree of surprise you want to convey.