rather startling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather startling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is surprising or shocking in a significant way. Example: "The sudden announcement of the merger was rather startling to the employees, who had not anticipated such a change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Here's a rather startling video).

The New York Times

It is a rather startling thought.

The Guardian

The failure to identify her is rather startling.

The New York Times - Books

And there is usually a rather startling self-portrait.

The New York Times - Arts

"The races I am still considering, but I expect to make a rather startling decision shortly".

The New York Times

It is rather startling that almost none of those names appears in this book.

Independent

They illuminate Orwell's first marriage with an occasionally rather startling clarity.

The Guardian - Books

When summer comes, "it's rather startling to suddenly see so much skin," she said.

The New York Times

But she has brains, energy and a rather startling degree of luck.

The New York Times - Magazine

And I finally entered those attic rooms, where I found a rather startling item.

The Guardian - Books

Their conclusion was rather startling and makes Andrew Brooks's hunch ring true.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather startling" to introduce an unexpected fact or event that significantly alters the context of a discussion or narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "rather startling" in very casual conversations or informal writing, as it may sound overly formal or dramatic. Simpler alternatives like "pretty surprising" or "kind of shocking" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather startling" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe something as surprisingly significant. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and serves to highlight an unexpected or notable element within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather startling" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase to describe something unexpectedly significant. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. It commonly appears in news, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts and serves to draw attention to surprising information. While versatile, it's best used in neutral to professional settings. Consider "quite surprising" or "somewhat shocking" for more informal contexts. Be aware to use "rather startling" to emphasize the unexpected significance, avoiding overuse in casual scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

truly astonishing

Emphasizes the startling aspect by using "truly".

quite surprising

Replaces "startling" with a more general term for unexpectedness; "quite" softens the impact.

genuinely unexpected

Highlights the authentic surprise.

distinctly surprising

Indicates a clear and noticeable element of surprise.

somewhat shocking

Shifts the focus to the shocking aspect, but tempers the intensity with "somewhat".

a bit astonishing

Substitutes "startling" with "astonishing", and "rather" with "a bit", slightly diminishing the emphasis.

noticeably astonishing

Emphasizes that the astonishment is easy to perceive.

fairly unexpected

Focuses on the lack of anticipation, using "fairly" as a modifier.

mildly alarming

Changes the tone to suggest mild concern or worry, instead of pure surprise.

remarkably unforeseen

Emphasizes the lack of foresight, framing it as remarkable.

FAQs

How can I use "rather startling" in a sentence?

You can use "rather startling" to describe something unexpected or surprising. For example, "The results of the experiment were "rather startling"."

What's the difference between "rather startling" and "quite surprising"?

"Rather startling" implies a stronger sense of surprise or shock compared to "quite surprising". "Rather startling" suggests something more unexpected and possibly unsettling, while "quite surprising" is a milder expression.

What are some alternatives to using "rather startling"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "quite surprising", "somewhat shocking", or "a bit astonishing".

Is "rather startling" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "rather startling" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you want to emphasize the unexpected or surprising nature of a finding, event, or statement. However, be mindful of the tone and context of your writing.